THE MARATHON FAMILY

Genre: Comedy
Year: 1982
Directed by: Slobodan Sijan
Screenplay by: Dusan Kovacevic
Music: Zoran Simjanovic
Cast: Bogdan Diklic, Bora Todorovic, Danilo (Bata) Stojkovic, Fahro Konjhodzic, Jelisaveta Sablic, Melita Bihali, Mihajlo (Bata) Paska

The story is set between two World War. The Topalovic family consists of five generations of males, with the youngest one aged 25 and the oldest one aged 120. Conflict breakout in the family because the youngest member refuses to carry on the morticians trade, which for decades, from generation to generation has been his family's occupation.
The manufacturing of coffins is more and more lucrative, new technologies are introduced, burials are faster and easier, the era of crematories is here. But the youngest member of the family, Mirko, is not interested. He believes in "better, nicer and more honest occupations". In this belief he is supported and encouraged by his girl Kristina and his best friend Djenka, owner of the small movie house. Kristina's father, Bili the python, supplier of coffins to the Topalovic firm, demands a larger share in the earnings, i.e. a fairer division of work and profit. Thus these two families come into conflict. In the showdown all means are permitted. This is American gangsterism in Balkan style.

Greatly disappointed because both his friend and his girl betrayed him, Mirko commits murder. As a murderer, he returns to his family where he is received with open arms as the new leader of the family, aware of his strength and power, a representative of the new generation whose basic moral principle is ruthlessness.