Divided into nine parts, each of which depicts a certain aspect of Kusturica’s story-telling, the 73-minute long SHOOTING DAYS reveals the complex structure of UNDERGROUND and uses some of Kusturica’s symbolic images to reflect upon the director’s own personality.

Through the eyes of the Gypsy musicians who help to create the film’s specific atmosphere not only with their music, but also as actors in minor roles, Kusturica is seen as a divine creator – as “Sajbija,” which in Romany means God, the “Prime Mover.” At the same time it becomes clear that the more devilish aspects of his character are those which also feed his boundless creativity.

Kusturica follows nothing but his own instincts and it is his utter disregard for any planning and scheduling that causes the producer of his film to suffer an ulcer.

During the long journey of the shooting, the chimpanzee Charlie, who is given an important role in UNDERGROUND, becomes the director’s most faithful companion. Kusturica is fascinated by Charlie’s instincts and intuitive reactions. He discovers an analogy between the animal’s behaviour and what he believes to be the most valuable quality of a true artist, because for him, being true to his own intuitions is the source of his inspiration.

While Kusturica gives his creativity free reign, the shooting of his films is paralleled by a seemingly unstoppable process of destruction in the former Yugoslavia. Kusturica’s and the film crew’s home country has gone up in flames, and the hell and horror of war is the realistic background of the making of UNDERGROUND.

SHOOTING DAYS captures Kusturica’s very personal way of directing and offers insights and interpretations to anyone interested in the process of artistic film making.

It shows by which means the director’s fantasies are transformed on the screen and allows a glimpse of some of his specific methods of working with actors and extras.

Through interviews and a commentary which gives more in-depth-explanations to various scenes from the film, this documentary not only portrays Kusturica as an artist but also offers an analysis of his work.

In the context of the making of UNDERGROUND, SHOOTING DAYS is centred around the question: What is it that creativity and destructiveness have in common?

• European premiere: International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam – official selection
  
• UK-premiere: International Film Festival, Sheffield

• International distribution: Jane Balfour Films
  73 min., 35 mm, colour