Arsen Dedić documentary

Honestly, I couldn't possibly give myself better quality time than quiet evening at home with glass of wine (O.K. it started with one glass), the capricious cat purring in my lap and really great documentary about my beloved Croatian singer-songwriter, late Arsen Dedić whose recent passing affected me so much while I roamed the world. Luckily, the documentary was made while Dedić was still alive and with his full cooperation, I remember there was some mild controversy because it was created by some Serbian director (Mladen Matičević) but these were small-minded preoccupations because the guy really made great movie that not only looks stunning in black & white but also approached its subject with affection and respect. 

"Moj zanat" (My craft) is the name of old song by Dedić who never missed a chance to talk about himself with a touch of irony and loved to describe himself as a craftsmen. It was his own way of getting away from any pomposity but at the same time he was quick to point that he used this same craft in dazzling variety of genres, including TV, theatre and anything from children's songs to music tailored for other artists. The sheer quantity of his output is mind-boggling and even though his appeal as a solo artist might have been limited (as chanson singer he was acquired taste) his obvious talent kept him successfully in business for more than half a century. Who knows why nobody at home didn't think about making this documentary, perhaps it needed input from somebody just a little distanced and thankfully this director completely avoided any fawning, his approach was to simply select parts of monologues, live performances and old TV clips into coherent story that treats its subject lovingly. Dedić himself appears as a intelligent, well-read and educated person, knowing about life and what really matters, he also shows surprisingly wicked sense of humour and was always ready to poke fun at himself. The choice of black & white camera proved to be inspired because it gave the whole movie certain dramatic quality, specially  scenes filmed in artist's quiet home full of mementos from distinguished career. The movie also peeks in private life of this great artist who seems to have been old oak tree surrounded by loving family - as a child, he received love and knew how to give love to others - we see him surrounded by children and grandchildren from two marriages (quite a nice,loving family) but there is a surprising touch in fact that his equally celebrated and famous wife Gabi Novak carefully leaves all the attention to him and lets him bask in the spotlight, this is his documentary after all. As big as he was and although their music and private lives were always intertwined, Novak lets her husband doing talk about his life, impressions, friends and doubts, at the end we realise this was actually wonderful monologue, just the way it should be. If director used different approach and interviewed all who have something to say about the way he touched our lives, it would be completely different movie and perhaps it could still be made.

I enjoyed this very much - bursted in song several times during scenes taped in live concert performance in some small, intimate club with celebrities in audience. This is something to watch again and to cherish.