“Toma” presents us with the life of the hugely popular Yugoslav singer and songwriter Tomislav (Toma) Zdravkovic (played by Milan Marić). In its first week in Bosnia and Herzegovina the film broke box-office records, selling 40,877 tickets, while in its first 5 weeks in Serbia and Montenegro it sold 555,546 and 145,659 in Bosnia. The world premier of Serbian actor, producer and director Dragan Bjelogrlić’s film was in August at the Sarajevo Film Festival.
The story: “Toma Zdravkovic – remembered not only for his songs and his unique way of singing them, but also as a true bohemian, both in his life-style and his soul.” (Source IMDb)
30 years after the singer’s death, the biopic traces, from childhood to fame, his loves and friendships in the Baltic art world which inspired him to compose some of his greatest hits. The film explores Toma’s journey along with several well-known artists of the time – Zoran Radmilović, Mika Antić and Tozovac. According to Variety, during his research director Dragan Bjelogrlić met Toma’s relatives, including his brother, and contemporaries. “His songs have a very special sadness, singing about his controversial life,” Bjelogrlić has said.“I made a film based on this specific emotion, trying to find the roots of this incredible sadness.”
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Sources : cineuropa.org, imdb.com, filmneweurope.com, sff.ba, variety.com
