The Optimists 2005

In the wake of a devastating flood that nearly obliterated a village, a charming hypnotist (Ristovski) makes an unexpected entrance with an unconventional strategy aimed at rejuvenating the dispirited community. Offering his hypnotic services pro bono, he aspires to transform the villagers’ hopelessness into optimism through the mystical art of hypnosis. However, his altruistic efforts are met with distrust and skepticism, as the inhabitants suspect him of foul play, leading the local authorities to swiftly intervene.

Simultaneously, a heartless entrepreneur (Tihomir Arsić) exploits his authority to carry out a horrific act against a young woman (Bojana Novaković), leaving her traumatized and defenseless. Her father (Ristovski), overwhelmed with sorrow and shame, opts to avoid confronting the culprit, tragically shifting the blame onto his daughter by insinuating that she somehow played a role in her own victimization. This self-serving maneuver comes with dire personal consequences.

For Ilija (Viktor Savić), the passing of his father Ratomir (Ristovski) has created an unfillable void in his existence. To find a glimmer of happiness, he teams up with an elderly woman (Mira Banjac) who has seemingly discovered a lucky streak at the slot machines since being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Together, they embrace this streak of fortune, reveling in the light of her unexpected luck.

Additionally, in a different narrative arc, Pera (Ristovski), the owner of a large slaughterhouse, contacts a doctor (Nebojša Glogovac), expressing concerns that his 12-year-old son (Nebojša Milovanović)’s intense commitment to the family enterprise is becoming overwhelming. Unbeknownst to the doctor, Pera’s real anxiety stems from his son’s troubling obsession with slaughtering every animal in sight, a behavior that poses a serious threat to the continuance of their business.

Lastly, a shrewd con artist (Ristovski), masquerading as a faith healer, takes advantage of a group of individuals struggling with various physical and mental challenges. He lures them with tales of a mystical spring possessing miraculous healing abilities and charges them a hefty sum for the bus ride there. However, upon arrival, the group soon discovers the true nature of his deceit as they are abandoned, left to grapple with the betrayal. Yet, despite the trickery, their hopes for a cure remain unshaken, as they steadfastly pursue the alleged therapeutic powers of the spring.