A free-form portrait of love and desire, Man Is Not a Bird follows an older, respectable engineer who arrives in an industrial town for an expert assignment and a young hairdresser whose home becomes his temporary refuge. Their secret relationship sets off a chain of unexpected consequences, especially when a young driver becomes involved. Makavejev’s bold, assured debut defies conventional portrayals of work, love, and everyday life.
CLASSICAL FILM SELECTION
MAN IS NOT A BIRD
English title:
Man is not a bird
Original title:
Čovek nije tica
Director:
Dušan Makavejev
Country:
Serbia (then Yugoslavia)
Genre:
fiction
Year:
1965
Length:
75’
Cast:
Milena Dravić, Janez Vrhovec, Eva Ras, Stojan 'Stole' Aranđelović, Boris Dvornik, Roko Cirkovic
A quote for the film:
"Magic is absolute nonsense. You must fight it"
Selective list of festivals and awards:
Pula Film Festival of Yugoslavian Films (1965): Winner: Special Award for Directing (Dušan Makavejev), Winner: Golden Wreath Studio (Dušan Makavejev). Mar del Plata International Film Festival (1966), Chicago International Film Festival (1972)
Director’s bio:
Dusan Makavejev is a pioneering figure of Yugoslavian cinema, known for films that boldly challenge political and social taboos. Deeply rooted in his country’s postwar experiences, his work blends documentary realism with daring narrative experimentation. After studying psychology at Belgrade University, Makavejev began making short films and documentaries in the early 1950s, working at both Zagreb and Avala studios. Even in his feature films, the documentary impulse remains strong, often intercutting raw, unpolished segments to create a unique, free-form cinematic language. Makavejev’s films continue to inspire audiences worldwide with their fearless approach to storytelling, sexuality, and society.
