STRANGLER vs STRANGLER
A COMEDY OF TERRORS
I'd like all mankind to have just one neck,
with my hands around it.
Karl Panzram, who murdered 23 people.
Belgrade during the 1980s.
A town with nearly two million inhabitants,
several hundred thousand cars,
ten museums, two radio stations
One TV center
and one big football club.
The capital!
Its inhabitants had yearned for years for their town to become a metropolis.
As our story begins
good prospects exist for Belgrade to become one.
You may ask what makes a town a true metropolis.
Is it traffic jams?
Or gigantic new settlements?
Or construction of an ultra-modern subway?
WORK SUSPENDED
Some think it's the number of inhabitants.
Belgrade has more than a million.
Others stress its geographical position.
Belgrade is a bridge between East and West.
But a metropolis is best defined by its chronicle of crime.
Broad boulevards, traffic jams, subways, are all in vain.
If there's no maniacs in a town, that town is no metropolis.
This is a story of events which placed Belgrade
alongside New York,
London and Paris.
Everything started in a harmless way.
Stop him!
Exhibitionists appeared in Belgrade graveyards,
shocking bereaved ladies.
At Kalemegdan a genuine Belgrade-style voyeur appeared.
People called them "Rashomon" after a scene in Kurosawa's film
where an actor lurks in the bushes.
Another Rashomon!
There were also some more serious cases.
A Pole robbed the safe of the National Theater
and took away 65 million dinars, although old ones.
This incited a series of similar more or less unsuccessful attempts.
This is a robbery!
Firemen even helped two thieves escape.
And then came the Belgrade Phantom.
He's not our subject, though he amazed the town
with his wild driving in stolen Porsches
defying the helpless police night after night.
The lift freak was a step forward in Belgrade's becoming a metropolis.
Undo my fly.
It is estimated that he attacked about 300 women,
operating exclusively in elevators.
There was also the case of Pavle Siljak,
who shot at women in furs with a home-made pistol.
There were also rapes, revenge killings…
jealousy and other common motives,
and various robberies.
But none of this was enough
to give Belgrade the status of a metropolis.
The king of all criminals was needed for this:
the Strangler
That's what you get for not liking carnations!
People like you don't deserve to live.
His name was Pera Mitic.
He was 48 years old,
weighed 120 kilograms, and was 190 cm tall.
He'd never married.
This was his third victim.
Come in!
Where are your carnations. Did you lose them again?
I sold them all.
- Where's the money? - Here.
There were 120 carnations!
You went to that pastry shop again.
You're never satisfied, mummy.
Did you ever sell 120 carnations in one day?
What?
Raising your voice to your parent?
The thanks I get for taking you to the seaside.
Give me the stick!
No, mummy please.
- Then I'll lock you in the cistern. - No, not that, please.
How can you respect your fellow man if you don't respect your mother?
Kneel on the shells, you naughty boy!
Yes, mummy.
Just don't shout. It gives me a headache.
No wonder you have headaches,
you lay in the sun 15 hours a day last summer.
His mother's scolding would restore Pera to his normal state
and make him forget all previous events.
HOW PERA BECAME A STRANGLER (FLASHBACK) Pera strangled his first victim a few days ago.
On that fateful evening he was selling his carnations in cafes.
But, at the time of our story,
carnations were no longer in fashion.
Some girls wouldn't let their boyfriends buy any,
so that he often brought home less money,
and had to bear his mother's scolding.
Give me five, young man.
Thank you very much, madam.
Thank you.
Here we are, lovely red carnations, 50 dinars each.
Got any roses? I think carnations stink.
I've no roses.
Here you are, lovely red carnations.
Sir…
Here… for the young lady.
You want one?
Don't make me laugh!
Take some, fresh picked today.
See how red they are…
like blood.
Don't mix blood and flowers.
Give me five.
I don't want them.
I hate flowers.
Men think they solve everything.
But… flowers make life more beautiful.
I don't want any money, it's a gift.
Leave me alone, I told you, I hate carnations!
Some girls went so far as to refuse a gift of carnations from Pera.
These are the ones he decided to punish.
Fine "flower children" you are!
He didn't know how he would do it,
but he felt an urge to show these girls
that carnations are wonderful flowers
that all people must love.
Shall I come back with you?
I'm not in the mood tonight.
Bye.
Bad karma.
Take a seat, Miss.
Just sit down, old man.
Pera's problem was that he always felt tired.
Hey, fatso!
This is the last stop!
Sorry.
After so much walking from place to place
he could barely stand up.
What's up with you?
Why get scared by a stupid flower seller?
Go down and show him you're not afraid.
Lost your carnations again?
Here you go…
one stroke for each carnation.
What do you want?
Did you follow me?
Go away or I'll call the police.
And so,
thanks to an overly brave and impetuous girl,
Pera Mitic became a criminal.
He killed his next victim the following night.
After visiting his favourite pastry shop to eat his fill of cream cakes.
- Good evening, Miss Dobrila. - Hello, Mr. Pera.
You should change the water more often.
See how they've wilted.
Carnations are delicate flowers.
Why are you all dressed up today?
Are you going to a ball?
To the opera.
I've never been to the opera.
Are you going to sell all these flowers there?
People who like opera buy flowers.
That's why I like the opera.
A car will pick you up at the hotel at 5:20 am.
Wakeup call is at 4:20 am. The ticket's in your passport.
Two men will sort your wardrobe at the airport.
Signor Pierangelo will meet you in Milan.
With a white Mercedes and a bouquet of roses.
I told you not to put carnations in here!
I hate the smell!
What do you want?
More carnations? Get the hell out of here!
HOW PERA BECAME A STRANGLER (END OF FLASHBACK)
One murder can be an accidental act.
But with his second murder, Pera Mitic announced the possibility…
that Belgrade would at last get a true strangler
and become a metropolis.
Go to bed now, you good-for-nothing.
You roam around all night
while you could have memorized the whole Gospel.
You prefer to stuff yourself with cream cakes!
But, let's go back to the third murder, for it had alarmed the public.
Is it true Belgrade has got a strangler?
These are just rumors. There's no need for panic.
Dear viewers, there's no need to panic.
We have no proof this is the work of a strangler.
But doesn't it seem a bit strange that three murders have occurred
and all three victims were women?
Please, let the police do their work in peace.
Turn off the camera! Jovanovic, seize the camera!
Break it up!
Turn off the camera!
Come on, break it up!
Break it up!
The sight of the victim disturbed the citizens,
especially a lonely youth, Spiridon Kopicl,
a talented but still unknown rock musician.
Spiro, what's the matter?
He's choking. Poor Spiro.
Not like that!
Dobrica!
Son! Son!
It seems I overdid it.
Help him to breathe!
Mouth to mouth!
Spiridon was a very shy young man.
His family situation may have contributed to this.
After the death of his mother, Marije Kopicli,
his father, an eminent psychiatrist,
married a beautiful nurse, Natalija.
This is why Spiridon hated beautiful women.
He's alive! Spiro's alive!
Spiro! What's wrong with you?
Spiro, have you gone mad?
The boy is in shock.
The strangler.
He ordered me to do it.
I'm in telepathic touch with the strangler.
Is this possible?
If you love, Carmen, as I love you
encourage me now before the battle
I'll make you proud of me
Your love gives me strength
You know well, Escamillo, how much I love you
I never imagined how much my heart would ache
Mummy, it stings. Not in the eyes.
Mrs. Pospisilovic used to sing this so nicely.
When he was alive, did daddy sing with you?
Every Friday, we'd bathe you and we sang together.
Mommy?
Why did children say you didn't know who my daddy was?
Jesus! What rascal said that?
Jovica, Ljilja, Mirko, Zorica.
Shut up!
I'd strangle them with my own hands if I could!
Stop!
Enough of this racket. A bit less noise.
When will you stop playing the rebel?
You think you're smart?
Yes, I do.
Hey guys, enough of that. Let's play.
Only if we know what we're playing.
We've a perfect media project here, so cool it!
Multimedia!
They like you guys with glasses.
You should think up some words and identify yourself with the strangler.
And so, looking for the words for his new song…
Spiridon imagined he was the Strangler.
This girl is the most beautiful
This girl I think of all the time
This girl's the only one I love
You meet such a girl only once
don't miss your chance
Touch her on the shoulder, and tell her
Baby, baby, close your eyes
Baby, baby, close your eyes now
Baby, baby, close your eyes
here comes the kiss
He looked for her all his life
He waited for her all his life
Now, with his hands around her neck he whispers
Baby, baby, close your eyes
Baby, baby
Baby, baby, close your eyes
here comes the kiss
Please, let me hear the whole song.
Since when do you like rock music?
I thought you liked the opera.
A man can change his taste, Miss Dobrila, isn't that so?
How come this song made you change it?
All this sounds sick to me.
I find these young people interesting.
Oh, come on, they sing about a maniac who strangles women
as though he's their idol!
Don't say that, Miss Dobrila, you don't know what kind of man he is.
You see, I was thinking…
Why would someone kill those poor girls?
There must be a reason.
What reason?
He's just a maniac!
Why do you say a maniac?
As though we're all normal…
A FEW HOURS LATER IN ANOTHER PART OF TOWN.
I've seen him! It's the Strangler!
Police!
The Strangler!
Mister, who'll pay me for my lost time?
I've a lot of work at home.
And here I sit, waiting to speak to someone.
I am inspector Ognjen Strahinjic.
I hope you will be able to help us.
I want to help.
But it seems no one here cares that I saw the strangler.
So, did you get a good look at him?
My name's not Mica Mojsilovic if I didn't.
You're sure you'd recognize him?
Absolutely.
Our men have brought in 20 suspects found near the scene of the crime.
Your task is to look at them carefully.
If you're quite sure the man you saw is among them,
give me a secret sign by nodding your head.
- What if he sees me? - He won't.
They'll be blinded by the lights, and I'll be there.
- So who's going to pay me? - This is your duty as a citizen.
Really? And you get a salary for this?
- Come on, I wasn't born yesterday. - Will you help us or not?
Show me the money.
Give me 500 dinars, and you're on.
It's torn.
- Is that better? - Fine, fire away now.
- Your fried fish, inspector. - Thanks.
Send in the first group.
Where'd you find that hunch-back?
Who could he strangle? You must be nuts.
With cops like you he could strangle half of Belgrade if I hadn't seen him.
Please, be more discreet, it's in your interest.
Next group.
You must be joking.
The man was enormous.
Let these poor creeps go back to bed.
- You're sure he's not one of them? - Listen, use your brain.
This lot couldn't strangle a fly.
Send in five tall ones!
Gentlemen…
I'm never without my basket of carnations.
How will the lady recognize me without it?
Silence! Be quiet, you fool!
As you say. Thank you.
- Why are you nodding your head? - The secret sign.
Secret sign?
Get that one!
We have him at last.
What are you doing? I just need my basket.
No, not him.
That's Pera, the flower seller. Do you know nothing?
You see, the lady recognized me.
She likes carnations.
Why did you nod your head then, Mrs. Mojsilovic?
Because of that bald one.
He must be the killer. He's horrible!
- You recognize him? - Sure, I'm not blind.
It's him - the Strangler!
I'll sign that.
Jovanovic, take 500 dinars back from Mrs. Mojsilovic.
Markovic, put your uniform back on.
No one was as sad and lonely that evening
as inspector Ognjen Strahinjic.
All his efforts to find a link,
a common motive that would lead to the murderer
had failed.
Public pressure had increased.
He saw the frequent sneers of his younger assistants.
He knew there was talk that he should retire.
He knew this was his last chance to regain his former reputation.
Good evening to all our faithful listeners.
Our guest tonight is the Symbols controversial singer Spiridon Kopicl.
His song The Belgrade Strangler
has caused a lot of talk these days due to its bizarre lyrics.
Let's ask him what will happen at his concert in The Brewery.
Will girls feel safe in an atmosphere of horror?
And why will the concert be on Friday the 13th?
The Strangler is sure to be there, everyone must know this.
For, in a way, this is his song.
What have you got against girls?
Why do you like the Strangler so much
that you wrote a song for him?
Did you ever try to strangle a girl yourself?
No, I never had the chance,
I can't touch their necks with their eyes open.
So let's try it. I'm not scared of men.
Try to touch my neck.
I'll even close my eyes.
Dear listeners, you'll all hear the strangling.
What do you feel? Do you want to strangle me?
Yes… Yes…
Where are you going?
Who gave you a license? Idiot!
Give me that… I'm calling the police!
I AM the police.
There's a call for you.
That wasn't very funny.
Yes?
Rockolade here.
Inspector Ognjen Strahinjic.
What are you up to there in Rockolade?
In a program kids listen to,
you promote a stupid song applauding crime.
You're all a bunch of maniacs that I will…
This is the strangest experience…
You're not normal…
Play the outro.
Wait! Let me explain.
I'll stop that concert, if it's the last thing I do.
A concert…? Why not?
Hello.
Find me 20 women agents at once.
Yes!
Oppressed with problems he couldn't cope with,
Spiridon wandered around the town.
The Rockolade incident
raised questions which needed an answer.
Obsessed by the Strangler,
waiting tensely for the concert, he asked himself:
Who am I, where do I come from? Where am I going?
What binds me so strongly to the Strangler?
I feel like the instrument of an unknown force.
Sometimes I think that I am - HIM.
I am Spiridon Kopicl.
An ordinary guy.
I am normal!
And I'm in love.
Girls, we are faced with a difficult task.
Maniacs multiply like fleas in this town.
It's my belief that this concert will attract them like bees to honey.
Rodoljub, is that you?
We couldn't find 20 women, inspector, so I volunteered.
Not bad, not bad.
Using some of your film ideas.
But remember: Maniacs are mad, not stupid.
This won't do. You must also feel like a woman.
Got it.
No, you haven't.
You must think as a woman…
acquire a female psyche.
You must repeat to yourself: "I am a woman, I am a woman…"
I am a woman, I am a woman…
I am a woman!
FRIDAY THE 13th.
What are you doing? Why are you rooted to the spot?
Move, dance, sing!
- You're a woman. - I'm a woman.
Fuck off, creep, I dance alone.
This one's tall.
Be nice little girl.
Beat it, faggot!
- Fresh carnations for a little girl? - I shit on your carnations.
Move around and act like a lonely girl.
Get to work.
Everyone was so kind, they all bought carnations, except you.
My last carnation ending like this.
This boy is not normal.
Bravo! Encore!
Sleep well, and dream about the Belgrade Strangler.
YOUNG KOPICL MAY BE A MURDERER?
Dove 12, receiving you.
Are you at your post?
As per plan, inspector.
Act carefully, someone could be watching.
Beware of passers-by. Each one could be the Strangler.
Yes, sir.
Hey, turtledove.
So, where are you going?
To the party?
Looking for some action?
- Want some beer? - Why not…
I told you, I'm not like that.
Cops!
Dove 12 here.
Anything new?
No, but I was nearly raped by two creeps.
Excellent, keep it up.
You're the only dove who's attracted a male so far.
Keep it up… and repeat constantly:
I am a woman, I am a woman…
I am a woman…
I'm a man!
Mommy!
Dove 12, can you hear me?
Are you there?
Rodoljub!
Rodoljub, can you hear me?
Dove 12! Can you hear me?
Post 12! Quickly!
All doves: The Hawk has attacked Dove12.
Run to its nest!
What's going on tonight? Everyone's going crazy.
Maybe it's The Strangler.
Stop boring me with that story, it's in very poor taste.
I admit your music is great,
- but your image is idiotic. - What image?
You think I was joking on the radio?
I was in psychic contact with the Strangler.
Now I've had enough.
Go home - choke your daddy with your juvenile madness.
Get the papers tomorrow…
You'll see what juvenile madness is.
Grab him to the right Milojka!
Easy, George.
Ogi's got you some fish.
Some fish for little George.
Eat well.
This may be our last supper.
The death of Rodoljub was the worst blow
in the career of Ognjen Strahinjic.
His whole investigation had gone down the drain.
In his mind he heard the words of his closest assistant:
Mr. Strahinjic, can't you see,
we're dealing with a mass murderer, a psychopath?
Everything suggests that.
All his victims were women and all were wearing pants.
There was no sign of sexual assault.
They were all strangled by a very strong man
who just used his hands.
So what?
If we catch this maniac, we'll make history!
A feeling of guilt due to Rodoljub's death
was destroying inspector Strahinjic.
He thought life wasn't worth living any longer.
Disappointed, shaken and dejected he decided to commit suicide.
Good bye, George.
Maybe there's another, better world…
where we'll meet again.
THE CAT SPEAKS
Don't do it, Ogi. This society needs you.
Who will revenge Rodoljub?
Only you can stop the Strangler.
You're right, George.
Rodoljub would agree.
I let him down when he was alive…
But not now that he's dead.
My clever George!
Tonight marks the beginning of Ognjen Starhinjic's new life.
As usual, Pera Mitic didn't remember the previous events.
Friday the 13th didn't exist for him.
The place he woke up made him guess
that he'd messed up again and his mother would scold him.
My God!
Didn't I ask you not to walk around naked?
Sorry, daddy.
Hello.
You should look at my review of your concert on tonight's Mosaic.
It may help you solve some of your problems.
And yeah…
Hello?
You needn't buy today's newspaper, there's nothing about the Strangler.
Bye.
Hello?
Go on pumping!
Mummy, let me just hear this song I like.
Pump, when I tell you.
Mummy, not so loud, I want to hear this song.
You should listen to God's song, you rascal!
Mummy, not so loud, please.
The Belgrade "in-crowd" has a new fashion.
Evil has been popular ever since the Sex Pistols.
Our pseudo-avant-garde rock singers
offer their version of someone else's ideas.
After the "Nazi-Punk" and the "Serbian Caps".
Spiridon Kopicl, leader of The Symbols,
offers us an innovation: the strangling of women.
The fact that a real maniac exists in Belgrade
amuses the Symbols and helps their morbid image.
What has Spiridon Kopicl got against women?
Women were…
Let's hear this lucid statement once again.
Unfortunately, our public bites at this morbid bait
which Kopicl and the like use to hide their creative impotence.
Everyone in The Brewery, had a great time
without thinking of the implications.
The girls were buying carnations, amused by thoughts of their funeral.
See for yourselves what our cameras recorded.
That's me!
It's me!
Mummy, that's me!
Mummy, I remember now!
I was at that concert and sold all my carnations.
Look mummy, that's me at the concert!
That's me.
Mummy, my head really hurts.
Mummy, my head aches. Play something.
Play mummy, please. I've a terrible headache.
Here, I'll pump.
Sing, mummy, sing.
Sing something, mummy. You have a nice voice.
Perica, my son, you are ill.
I am ill, I've a headache.
I am ill, very ill.
Spiro, I brought you some rice pudding.
For God's sake, Spiro,
when will you stop playing with that horrible doll?
I'm sure many girls would love to be in her place.
I told you a hundred times not to come in without knocking.
I'll show you who Spiridon Kopicl is!
I'll show you who's impotent.
Torn apart by contradictory feelings, provoked by Sofia's report,
Spiridon was on the edge of despair.
He felt he should do something.
Finally, he decided to take direct action.
He started to cut letters from the newspaper.
At first it looked like an anonymous love letter.
But the letter, begun for the MC of Rockolade
turned into a letter to inspector Ognjen Strahinjic.
"The next one's on Friday.
"The Strangler."
Finally we have something tangible.
The killer has become conceited and this will make him less careful.
We have three days to get ready. This time there must be no mistakes.
I think this letter was just sent by some idiot.
Mitrovic, you haven't taken this case over yet.
You think I don't know you're out to get me?
I won't let you undermine this case.
Last week the Strangler attacked on Friday.
I see no reason why he shouldn't do that again
since he informed us that he would.
You're free till tomorrow morning, get some sleep and be prepared.
What if the Strangler wanted to confuse us?
Mitrovic, don't put a spoke in my wheel.
Let me work out the plan of action in peace.
You can leave, but I'll stay awake.
And now - get going!
There's nothing to get hold of here.
This man kills without rhyme or reason.
Thousands of women wear pants in this town.
So, how can I predict which of them will be the next victim?
And now, Johnny Stulic with his latest hit.
Rockolade invites you to phone in your requests.
Our number is still 656-353.
And now, Johnny Stulic with "Oh, my God, What a Terrible Film."
You've got a call.
Rockolade here, go ahead.
What do you have against carnations?
Excuse me?
What do you mean?
You know what I mean.
You filmed me for the TV.
Criticized my carnations.
That's not nice.
I don't like girls who hate carnations.
I don't like carnations.
Turn down your radio, it's making a noise.
It's not noise.
I'm eating cakes.
Beside carnations, I really like cream cakes.
I'd also like to hear my favourite song,
"The Belgrade Strangler".
We only fulfil requests of listeners who give their name.
It wasn't nice of you to criticize me on TV.
I know you did it for your career.
That wasn't very smart of you.
What's your name?
I won't say.
Dear listeners, I think this is just another
of Spiridon Kopicl's witless jokes.
But since he likes his song so much
I'll grant his wish.
Here, for the last time, "The Belgrade Strangler".
Inspector…?
There's a dead girl downstairs.
- What does she want? - He meant to say she's dead.
What's that to do with me?
Well, it's another victim of the Strangler… Sir.
It's not true…
It's not true!
What is it?
You all want to be inspectors!
It's not true! It's not true!
It can't be! He wouldn't lie to me!
The Strangler wouldn't lie to me!
The Strangler wouldn't lie to me.
Let him work off his aggression.
These murders, contradictory theories…
obsession with The Strangler…
have overly increased his tension.
He needs an outlet, it's quite simple.
Shall I tell him he's no longer on the case?
That's out of the question.
He mustn't hear that now.
At present, his condition is nearly normal.
He'll be as quiet as a bug when he comes out.
I need panthers, not bugs.
Look, he won't be able to work on the case.
But let him think he's still in charge.
That'll aid his recovery.
And how will I manage that?
We're not a bunch of actors.
I don't know.
It all depends on how much you want him to get well.
Remember: Another blow like this and he'll definitely end up in here.
Please, sit down.
Rest a bit, sit down.
You can go now.
Like some juice?
Thank you, you're very kind.
Here you go.
This juice is delicious. Where did you buy it?
- Ognjen… - Yes, Gane.
Ognjen, how do you feel?
Fantastic. Fantastic.
Like a panther ready to leap.
We'll catch him tonight, rest assured.
I was thinking about it…
and I could find no weak spot in our plan.
Please, excuse me.
I have a lot of work to do, If you don't mind, I'll go now.
Excuse me…
Just go and do your work, take my car and driver.
Show the inspector out for me.
Follow that guy on skates.
YOUNG KOPICL POSSIBLE KILLER
YOUNG KOPICL KILLER
Get off my back, you idiot.
Go pant to your mummy.
That's 5 times he called today.
That's what you get for being a TV star.
Don't give me a hard time.
"Baby baby, close your eyes…"
KILLER?
1:05 pm.
THE STRANGLER SEEKS A VICTIM?
You dropped all your flowers.
Never mind…
Are you a boy or a girl?
I'm a girl and my name is Sofia.
Why do you wear pants?
Because I want to.
That's not nice.
Girls should wear dresses and like flowers.
Here's a nice carnation for you.
I don't like carnations.
You are a naughty little girl.
Sofia?
Sofia!
What are you doing here?
Daddy, my ball ran away.
Be a good girl, Sofia.
Sofia, Sofia…?
That name echoed in Pera Mitic's head.
He couldn't remember why it was important to him.
Then he remembered there was another Sofia.
Sofia!
- Yes? - There's a call for you.
It must be that creep. Tell him I moved.
Hello? Hello?…?
Sofia doesn't live here anymore. She moved out.
Hello?
Gane? This is Djoka.
He's been following some kid all day. I don't know what to do.
Excellent, excellent…
Just go on following him.
Don't bring him in unless you have to.
He can run around all night if he wants.
Bye.
See, Mr. Gane, just as I said.
The prints on the pastry shop fork
are the same as those found on a victim's bag.
It's the same man.
And those prints aren't on the letter.
He didn't announce the first four stranglings,
and the last one doesn't match the letter.
That letter must have been sent by some nut.
It drove poor Ognjen crazy.
That letter is pure nonsense and there'll be no murder tonight.
Hey, stop! What are you doing?
You can't compete with me, pal.
You all think I'm crazy!
I'll show you who Ognjen Strahinjic is!
The Strangler!
Mommy!
Sofia?
Sofia.
Spiro…
You saved my life.
While kissing Spiro with Pera's blood on her lips,
Sofia realized that her future lay in his embrace.
She didn't know how right she was.
That's carnations for you.
See what you've done to me.
Carnations are more important to you than I am.
How can I get married without an ear?
What girl will want me like this?
Mummy, help me, find my ear.
My ear…
You found it.
Dear viewers, the ear you see belonged to the Strangler
and now it belongs to us.
So, did you get a good look at him?
I think the man is completely crazy.
A dangerous sex maniac.
Mummy, why am I a sex maniac?
Did I bite off someone's ear, or did they?
Why are you laughing? What's so funny?
Tell them to give me back my ear.
Stop laughing!
I've had enough of you and your TV. I'll shut you all up in the cistern!
EPILOGUE
After a magnificent Orthodox wedding
attended (in honor of Sofia's father)
by high church dignitaries…
Spiridon carried Sofia over the threshold.
Sofia, in a state of ecstasy,
could not guess her night of passion would also be a night of decision.
The mysterious thread that linked the fates
of Pera Mitic, Spiridon, and inspector Strahinjic
was to become an inextricable tangle of crime.
That night, the rehabilitated inspector Strahinjic,
satisfied with recent events, told his cat about them.
I had a very hard day today.
My dear George.
No one seems to understand that we must develop our own methodology.
Our methods must follow the pattern…
of those used in other countries.
This ear will ensure us a place in the history of criminology.
My dear George…
it will lead us to the Belgrade Strangler.
No…!
The moment George swallowed his ear,
Pera Mitic emitted a cry of pain.
His mother appeared in his dream.
Pera, my son, don't worry.
Your mother will get your ear back.
I'm going to see that wicked singer to ask him where your ear is.
Pera, my son…
don't worry.
Your mother will get your ear back.
I'm going to see that wicked singer to ask him where your ear is.
Dressed in his mother's clothes, with make-up and a wig on his head,
Pera set out in search of his ear.
Spiridon's strength was running out when a face appeared at the window.
The face of Pera Mitic.
I'm going to die!
You beast!
I'll strangle you!
I'll strangle you, you beast!
There you are.
With nerves worn to a frazzle,
the inspector finally caught and strangled his cat.
At that moment, something snapped in Spiridon.
I'm dying!
Well, die, then!
Hear what she's doing to Spiri.
It's their first wedding night.
It doesn't have to be the last.
OH, GOD! WAS BELGRADE DESTINED TO BECOME
THE SCENE OF THE MOST MORBID,
THE MOST INCREDIBLE CRIME STORY OF THE 1980s??
Give my son back his ear!
Help! Daddy!
The Strangler!
Open up, Daddy!
And you call my son a maniac!
Police! Help!
The Strangler!
My son's not a maniac.
My son's not a maniac, you bum.
I'll show you!
I'll find you!
You'll give back Pera's ear!
Give me the ear!
At the moment when Pera Mitic ripped off his ear,
the hum in Spiridon's head
crystallized into the chords of his first symphony
which, a few years later
would make him a famous composer.
Known as the man who rid Belgrade of the Strangler,
Spiridon lived as an eminent citizen.
Sofia was believed to be Pera's last victim,
which in fact, she might well have been.
Dr. Kopicl's sudden death in his marital bed
left his bereft step-mother, Natalija in Spiridon's care.
The first performance of his symphony,
conducted by the composer was shown on TV
so that millions of viewers could enjoy it.
The only ones who could have said more
about the genesis of Spiridon's masterpiece
were the unlucky inspector Strahinjic…
George! George!
Now I'm sure…
Young Kopicl is the Strangler.
…and the corpse of Pera's mother,
forgotten in a cistern, in front of a dead TV set.
Such is life.
Some stranglers are born under a lucky star,
and some are not.