User reviews

This is an OK film although it is quite slow-paced. The characters are undeveloped and the lack of chemistry between David Thornton (Robert)and Mirjana Karanovic (Olga) is painful to watch. The film is a step in the right direction when it comes to Serbian films, as there is no violence or hatred and the plot is interesting and realistic - people in Serbia really do resort to paying a foreigner to marry your fiancée, in order to make it possible for her to join you if you live and work in Western Europe or North America. However, this theme could have been exploited in a more interesting way. Also it does not do justice to Belgrade, where most of the film is set. Although certainly not the most attractive capital in the world, neither is it the grey, shabby place depicted in the film. Think of the impression one gets of Vienna watching 'Before Sunrise', or of Paris from 'Forget Paris'.

Entertaining show. good film. enjoyed it very much. for time passing purposes it is an ideal film. you'll enjoy it... the only thing i was skeptical about is , everyone in the serbian residential area , everyone speaks decent english to run a daily conversation , even the nice lady at the market.

I saw this movie at the Cinema City festival in Novi Sad. 85 minutes of wasted time! I didn't expect it to be a masterpiece, but I thought it could be at least a little bit fun. I was wrong! During the first half of the movie I was still believing myself it could get interesting... I was sitting quietly and waiting for something to happen. But nothing did. Just empty, boring dialogs and scenes showing Belgrade as the city with gray sky, city with strange people and their odd habits. NY wasn't much better either. Anyway, it's not like I haven't had a few laughs, but most of the time I was yawning. This could easily be a short, 15 minutes movie. If you are having thoughts about watching this film, please, think twice.

This movie is very, very boring. It's not long (runs only 80+ minutes), but it's extremely slow-paced and uninteresting. The acting is poor, the main character (played by American actor David Thornton) looks like he's bored to death. There's a cameo by the great Cyndi Lauper (Thornton's real life wife). She's in two short scenes, but nothing interesting there - very disappointing. The New York scenes with Branislav Trifunovic are unnecessary for the movie's plot, they are overlong and should have been cut. And one more (very important) thing - Belgrade shown in this movie is not the real Belgrade. Belgrade isn't a perfect city, but it's not a strange dirty place full of weird, crazy people. My hometown is (among other things) a beautiful place and this movie doesn't do it justice. This is a sub par TV movie at the best.

"Here and there", the debut of an immensely talented young Serbian director Darko Lungulov is a great example of the vast difference between indie and big budget disaster. Indie movies, even when they are off the mark, at least attempt to tell the human story or describe the age long hardship of living. Big budget movies are usually the exercise in non-existent creativity and homage to stupidity. Two worlds: Belgrade in transition and dumpy Queens are not as different as one would think.In both places people are desperately trying to survive and find a better life. Often their dreams are just that-dreams, light like a spider web and fragile like an eggshell. This is a real jewel of a movie, an immense pleasure to watch.

The cinematography is anything but good. The Depth of Field (DOF) is a very important tool in a film-makers arsenal. It is used to make the audiences' eye see what the director wants it to see by softly blurring the background information. However, the DOF used in this movie is just horrible. It is very shallow, thus blurring the background strongly. It might be excusable at times but this blur stays in effect even when the camera is following the actor from behind. These are the times when the audience checks out the surrounding. But hey cant do it. Why? 'Cuz Its blurred.

Also several times when the shot cuts to a different character speaking (in 2-way conversation) it starts with the other character totally blurred who then gradually comes into focus. This hurts the eye. Its like watching a kids very 1st effort at film-making. The cinematography is plain amateurish.

As for the story, it is slow, dull & boring. I was taken in by the premise and though I didn't expect greatness I did expect something worth my time. It wasn't there. Not good. Disappointed.

I don't know what some of the reviewers above were referring to when they said that the film was slow-paced. It's a perfect pace for the story and the characters that drive it.

It's a character-driven narrative beautifully and economically done, in the true spirit of indie greats like Jarmousch or Wenders for example. And it's a story of values that are considered lasting worldwide, so with the clever interlacing of the New York and Belgrade story streams the two cities almost blend into one with love as the glue that binds them together.

The actors' performances are strong and memorable. If you like independent film you will enjoy this one, and it may even leave you thinking as well as engage you emotionally.

Lower east side NYC meets Belgrade. Several characters, all living with their own predicaments, cross paths. This film tells a special story with humor, suspense and a bit of quietly gritty style. There are subtle details, and a lot of heart. The actors ( Cyndi Lauper makes a great appearance ) are the best ! Darko Lungulov has this wonderful ability to describe an engaging story, while helping us to look at the characters with tenderness and a dose of reality. Lovely photography and direction. Bravo.

Wow can we really go wrong ? Cindy Lauper , Serbia , New York... I am sure everyone will love this film ! The images of Serbia will surly help you fall in love with the beautiful people and land, A chance to experience the interesting life styles and ways of the Serbian people while enjoying a great story line.....I am considering traveling just so I can see this more than once I am sure you will all enjoy this film.. Its definitely worth you time to check out..I cannot wait to watch this with friend's I am sure they will love this as much as I and as much I am sure you will. I wish there were more films like this to give us a glimpse of real life and the way it works when love and distance have its hand in the affair's of the heart.

A movie like "Here and There" shows us just how good movies can be, even when they're made on a tiny budget. With a pitch-perfect cast (that includes Cindy Lauper!) and a script that hinges on a clever conceit, "Here and There" straddles the line between comedy and drama in the best indie fashion and delivers emotions that register on many different levels. The movie's script, about a depressed NYC jazz musician who finds himself stuck in Belgrade, Serbia, beautifully explores the different facets of it's protagonist's plight with humor, drama, a hard won humanism, and above all, a light touch that is never heavy handed. The film moves along briskly, whisking you away in it's narrative current, and before you realize it you're enmeshed in the character's lives and you're heart is beating along with them. Recommended for anyone in need of a good story told expertly or for anyone who thinks independent films are dead. Take a look at "Here and There" and you'll discover that they are alive and going strong. I'm sure Jarmusch would be proud of new writer/director Darko Lungulov who combines the tone and aesthetic of the indies with the wit and showmanship of classic Hollywood screen writing.

We saw "HERE" at the 2009 Orlando Film Festival. My wife and I were so impressed by the film we stuck around for a prolonged Q+A. Luckily, Producer Frank Calo invited us to an "After" get together/party for the production. All this proved to be quite worthwhile, because it gave us some unique inside-track insights into the production, which are shared with you here.

Serbian Director Darko Lungulov studied the art of film-making in New York. His years in the Big Apple are clearly reflected in his savvy instinct in obtaining precisely the right mix of the where/what/when/how/why of the New York backdrop; his foreigner/outsider perspective adds a fingerprint spin. The passion for his labor of love, which blazed so intensely in his eyes, permeates every frame of this multiple award-winning American/Serbian look at how one man's capricious decision to grab a fistful of cash by traveling to Belgrade and marrying a woman to secure her U. S. Visa, indirectly sets him on a path of redemption and self-rediscovery.

David Thorton (Unhooks the Stars) fleshes out his role as a burned-out sax player with a refreshing degree of studied nonchalance that veils a constant and consistent intensity. Mirjana Karanovic("The Serbian Meryl Streep" we were told) as Olga, is living proof that actions speak louder than words. A mature and kind-spirited woman, who knows just how to nurture all those around her, yet never seeking out someone special to nurture her.

HERE's otherworldly treat is its deliciously enticing, traditionally-rooted Serbian musical score by Dejan Pejovic. It set the tone and mood of the film so perfectly it could be used as an example of music for optimum ambience in Film-making classes! Cyndi Lauper (Who JUST happens to be married to David Thorton BTW!) has a cameo that adds cleverly to the overall production and also contributes an original song!

There is one warm, inspirational and unique aspect of HERE and THERE, but to reveal it would amount to a spoiler. So, you must experience this great film for yourself!

...ENJOY! / DISFRUTELA!

to me this film came across as quiet and contemplative.

i will not get into the story here as that is for the viewer. what i want to express is the acting and pace of the movie. not an action or adventure story but a story of mind and heart. dialog is minimal. actors expressions relate so much of the story dialog is not necessary.

most people won't get it. but i found this movie to be delightful and very easy to believe each character and their emotions. this story is reflective of many lives. just plain people wanting to just live an ordinary life but survival so often dictates our direction.

and seeing Cyndie Lauper is a treat. would like to see her in more movies as i believe she could pull off a character very well.

give this film a try, plus you see NYC scenes different from most film makers.

The city was so ugly but the people were beautiful. I didn't know what to think when I started to watch this but very early on I thought "I like this movie."

An Absolute Gem of a Film. Lighthearted and genuinely humane.

It looks like I'm late to the party here but the film just popped up tonight on my Amazon Prime feed.

It's films like "Here and There" that restore my faith in cinema. Highest marks to the actors, writer and director.

And that acting was indeed wonderful! And the storyline- a complete and thoroughly engaging delight!

The lead actor, David Thornton, had all of the brooding and quiet power of the late and beloved, Robert Forster. Thornton is a MOST watchable actor that I would certainly like to see a lot more of in films.