# When Father Was Away on Business (1985)

> A young Yugoslav boy turns his father’s political imprisonment into an innocent “business trip” while his family navigates fear, loyalty, and absurdity.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/12686

## Facts

- Runtime: 136 min
- Genres: Drama
- Director: Emir Kusturica
- Cast: Moreno de Bartoli, Predrag 'Miki' Manojlović, Mirjana Karanović, Mustafa Nadarević, Mira Furlan, Predrag Laković, Pavle Vuisić, Slobodan Aligrudić
- TMDB rating: 7.3/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089748/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: mild
- Mood: witty, melancholic, compassionate, historical cinema night, arthouse film night

## Synopsis

A poignant tale of childhood innocence amidst the chaos of political turmoil.

## Movies like When Father Was Away on Business

- [The Border Post (2006)](https://ember.film/movie/21040)
- [Promise Me This (2007)](https://ember.film/movie/4002)
- [Sky Hook (2000)](https://ember.film/movie/73544)
- [The Trap (2007)](https://ember.film/movie/2510)
- [The Red Colored Grey Truck (2004)](https://ember.film/movie/73161)
- [Life Is a Miracle (2004)](https://ember.film/movie/12131)
- [Circles (2013)](https://ember.film/movie/73850)
- [The Will (2025)](https://ember.film/movie/7503604)
- [Do You Remember Dolly Bell? (1981)](https://ember.film/movie/33653)
- [Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams (2006)](https://ember.film/movie/270)

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