Honey Night gets my vote as this year’s most overlooked small gem of a political satire. Nikola is a deputy minister in the national government. His wife, Ana, drinks to excess and embarrasses him at a big party in honor of Macedonia’s independence. That same night is the couple’s tenth wedding anniversary, a fact that Nikola has forgotten. But he does have what appears to be a legitimate excuse for being distracted: rumor has it that a purge of ministers is under way and he could be next. In a panic, he tries to flush down the toilet an incriminating report that he was involved in preparing. When he accomplishes nothing but clogging the toilet, he sets fire to the report, which makes matters even worse. As the night wears on, Nikola and Ana alternately bicker and close ranks as the rumors vary and as government thugs enter their home, presumably to install listening devices.
Unless it is unexpectedly picked up by Netflix, I imagine the chances of most readers getting a chance to see this film are slim. Still, just in case, I’ll refrain from giving away the amusing surprise ending.
Honey Night is actually a remake of the Czech film The Ear, which was shot in 1970, but banned by the Communist authorities and not released until 1990.
