Synopsis

The Return is a kind of psychological study about Steve (former Stojan) Petrović, a Serb, who returns to his home region Vojvodina after 40 years. He doesn’t know anyone anymore in the small village he once left to emigrate to America. After his family was afflicted with a tragedy in the US he primarily wants to gain distance and try to find peace in his old homeland. In his entourage, his friends arrive, who want him to return home – for his own sake – according to them. But their noble intentions seem rather dubious than honest. At least Stojan is full of mistrust and suspicions. Anyway, suddenly the small village is as busy as it never was before. Serbian director Predrag Jakšić impressively broaches the issue of home versus homelessness and uprooting in his first feature film. The filmmaker can rely on prominent forces here: as Stojan/Steve we see the Canadian actor Lazar Rockwood, who emigrated to North America almost 50 years ago. Further leading roles are played by Nick Mancuso, Michael Pare and John Savage, who once had a prominent part in Michael Cimino’s The Deer Hunter.