Goodbye, 20th Century!

Goodbye, 20th Century! is a 1998 Macedonian dystopian black comedy film that presents a bold and surreal exploration of the human condition at the turn of the millennium. Embarking upon a chaotic journey through time, the film interweaves multiple storylines that defy conventional narrative structures, creating a unique and fragmented tapestry of messianic allegory, post-apocalyptic vision, and dark humor.

Directed by Darko Mitrevski and Aleksandar Popovski, the film features a cast that includes Lazar Ristovski, Nikola Ristanovski, and Vlado Jovanovski. Lazar Ristovski is particularly known in the region for his powerful performances, and here he takes on a role that allows him to showcase his versatility as an actor. Goodbye, 20th Century! is shot in the Macedonian language and has a distinctive visual style, utilising a mixture of color and black-and-white sequences to underscore its thematic preoccupations.

At the core of the film lies a deeply satirical and reflective commentary on the passing of an era, with the 20th century depicted as a time fraught with violence, societal upheaval, and existential angst. The fragmented nature of the film might be perplexing to some viewers, but it deliberately mirrors the confusion and uncertainty that characterized the final years leading up to the Y2K.

One of the film's narratives unfolds in a post-apocalyptic future, a gloomy landscape ravaged by some unspecified disaster that has brought humanity to the brink of extinction. In this desolate world, the rules of civilization have disintegrated, and what remains of mankind is reduced to living in a state of barbaric survival, echoing the darkest aspects of human nature. The film does not shy away from grotesque imagery or the raw brutality that can emerge when societal structures collapse.

In stark contrast, another storyline unravels in a more familiar time, tracing the peculiar tale of a man seemingly out of sync with the world around him. His experience is shrouded in magical realism and teems with complex, enigmatic characters whose lives intersect in bizarre and unexpected ways. The man's journey is fraught with surreal encounters and absurdist scenarios that challenge viewers to question the nature of reality and the elusiveness of fate.

The film's third primary tableau sees viewers catapulted back to an earlier period in the 20th century, introducing a different set of characters embroiled in their own struggles. This segment serves as an allegory for the cyclical patterns of human history, how the ghosts of the past continue to haunt the present, and how the echoes of earlier times find their resonance in the unfolding apocalypse of the future.

Goodbye, 20th Century! employs a non-linear narrative that leaps across different timelines, presenting a kaleidoscopic view of history, mythology, and prophecy. The disjointed storytelling reflects the chaotic pulse of an era on the verge of monumental change. Within this labyrinthine structure, the filmmakers seed profound existential questions—about death and rebirth, about the meaning of progress, and about the dual nature of humanity capable of both creation and destruction.

Despite its heavy themes, the film is also tinged with dark humor, offering moments of bizarre comedy that serve as a reprieve from its otherwise macabre setting. These comedic interludes offer a release valve for the film's heavy atmosphere and reflect the paradox of finding humor amidst despair.

Goodbye, 20th Century! is both ambitious and audacious, and the production values reflect a keen eye for inventive cinematic techniques. The directors utilize an array of visual effects, unexpected camera angles, and a rich, contrasting color palette to immerse viewers in the film's dystopian vision. The cinematography captures desolate and surreal landscapes, as well as vibrant and arresting imagery that punctuates the narrative's emotional beats.

The film's score underpins the shifting tones, moving from eerie and atmospheric to melodic and evocative, further enriching the cinematic experience. The sound design, too, is carefully crafted to reflect the film's oscillation between bleak silences and resonant symphonies of human activity.

Goodbye, 20th Century! might not cater to mainstream tastes due to its unconventional narrative and bold cinematic choices, but for those willing to venture into its abstract dimensions, it presents a deeply contemplative and artistically engaging experience. The movie earned respect for its ambition and creativity and continues to be discussed and analyzed by cinephiles who appreciate its daring take on the end of an era and the beginning of another.