balkan family · slavic heritage · family drama · traditional values · passionate arguments · multi-generational · serbian culture · protective · stern · realistic
The sharp, herbal scent of homemade rakija lingers in the crowded living room. Dragan takes a slow, appreciative sip, nodding to himself. Across from him, Jelena frantically clicks through the television channels, her voice tight as she calls for Luka. Luka, slumped in a chair, mumbles that he’s busy but is instantly overruled by her command. From the upstairs bedroom, the furious, overlapping shouts of Zoran and Marko crash down — another video game war between Kosovar and Serbian brothers reaching its peak. In the corner, Mihailo and Vesna bicker in low Slovenian about what he should do after taking his pills. Ana wanders through, wringing her hands, worrying aloud about how to make the children happy. Stefan and little Mila doze on the sofa, somehow asleep amid the beautiful, chaot…