The Load 2019

During the 1999 NATO bombing of Kosovo, we meet Vlada, portrayed by Leon Lucev, a middle-aged man who finds himself entangled in a perilous mission as a courier. Hired to transport a mysterious cargo through the ravaged landscape of Kosovo to Belgrade, Vlad’s task is shrouded in secrecy; he is explicitly warned against stopping for any reason once he sets off. This marks his third driving excursion, and the weight of uncertainty presses heavily upon him.

Upon his arrival at the designated pick-up point, Vlada is prepared for what lies ahead. However, fate reroutes him when a burning vehicle obstructs his path at a bridge, leading him to detour toward a nearby riverbed. There, he encounters a small community of refugees who assist him with directions and offer him cigarettes, emphasizing the everyday struggles of those caught in this war-torn environment.

Paja, a vibrant young man played by Pavle Cemerikic, approaches Vlada with a request to hitch a ride to Belgrade. Despite Paja’s persuasive arguments about his ability to navigate through the countryside, Vlada declines. Yet, as he resumes his journey, he discovers that Paja has cleverly managed to stow away by clinging to the back of his truck. After a moment of silent contemplation, Vlada relents and allows Paja to join him, seeing the necessity of ensuring the young man’s warmth against the cold.

As they travel together, the duo witnesses the harrowing effects of war on Kosovo. Their conversations reveal striking contrasts in their backgrounds, although both hail from traditional and upstanding families. Paja shares a glimpse into his life through the music he has created with his band, offering a cassette and headphones to Vlada, who praises his artistic talent. The more they share, the tighter their bond becomes, yet Vlada keeps a significant part of his life hidden—specifically, the content of the cargo he carries, which he admits he neither knows nor wishes to uncover. Their journey takes a dramatic turn as they narrowly evade the grasp of law enforcement.

In a turning point of their companionship, Paja decides to exit the truck before reaching Belgrade. He hands Vlada the cassette and encourages him to reach out should he ever wish to reconnect. The poignant image of Paja left behind, alone in a dilapidated playground as dusk envelops him, draws a stark contrast to their earlier camaraderie.

Successfully navigating his perilous journey, Vlada reaches his destination, where he is duly compensated for his risky endeavor. However, his somber reality unfolds within the confines of a government office building, where, after making a necessary phone call, he witnesses soldiers unloading lifeless bodies from the very truck he drove, only to dispose of them in a mass grave. This moment underscores the heavy cost of the conflict surrounding him.

As fatigue takes hold, Vlada dozes off on a couch in the waiting area, only to be stirred by an officer who commands him to wash the cargo hold and return the truck. On his way home, he finds a moment to reconnect with his family, including his teenage son Ivan played by Ivan Lucev. They engage in a difficult discussion about their future amidst the uncertainty of the ongoing bombings. Despite his efforts to bond, Vlada feels a chasm between him and Ivan, reflecting the emotional turmoil wrought by the conflict.

Attempting to bridge this gap, he recounts stories of how the war affected his family during World War II, imparting wisdom to Ivan. In a meaningful gesture, he passes on the cassette tape gifted by Paja to his son, who later listens to it while hanging out with a friend. The film poignantly concludes with Ivan expressing his desire to form a band, a symbol of hope and youthful ambition amidst the bleak landscape of their reality.