Lost Country Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Lost Country Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 30, 2025

The vastness of political conflict and terror is handed an intimate treatment in 2023’s “Lost Country.” Co-writer/director Vladimir Perisic returns viewers to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1996, examining the woes of the region during the government rule of Slobodan Milosevic and a key election that inspired the formation of revolution. Perisic doesn’t show much interest in the fine details of the unfolding situation, instead using such tension to power a study of a mother and her son, examining the pair as their once tight relationship is challenged by the reality of the world around them. “Lost Country” is committed to silent moments of reflection and visual communication, giving the feature an interesting presence as it burns quietly.

Stefan (Jovan Ginic) is a teenager living in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia with his mother, Marklena (Jasna Djuricic), who’s a spokeswoman for the Socialist Party of Serbia. She’s dealing with a recent election that’s fallen apart, as challenges to the voting results grow throughout the land, putting Marklena to work as her superiors order increasingly violent actions to maintain stability. Stefan isn’t fully exposed to the situation, trying to maintain his life as a teen, handling friends and a potential girlfriend. As the weeks pass, the young man’s eyes are opened to the dismantling of law and order, making him a target for ostracization as he tries to make sense of his mother’s actions and build up the courage to confront her life of lies.

Normality is established in “Lost Country,” meeting Stefan at his grandfather’s home, where they gather nuts for a cake and discuss Olympic glory, as the teen is part of his school’s water polo team. Marklena is busy, returning to pick up her son, who responds with affection, living up to his “little trailer” nickname as he clings to his parent. The screenplay generates an immediate sense of history between the mother and son as they maintain closeness out of habit, but bigger things are happening in the region to challenge such warmth.

“Lost Country” is very slow to clarify the political situation, and if one isn’t fully knowledgeable of the Milosevic regime, it takes some time to recognize the growing threat. Perisic doesn’t provide many details in the opening half of the feature, preferring to remain on Stefan and his battles as he begins to endure punishment for his mother’s choices. He’s pushed away by his friends and struggles to communicate his feelings. Questions for Marklena are shooed away, while greater clarity is achieved about his extended family, connecting the news to his life. “Lost Country” adds additional complications along the way, including an interested girl, and violence enters the tale, as Stefan is physically confronted by others, forced to answer for his own mother’s actions when he can’t process how to condemn her.

Lost Country Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Lost Country" maintains a film-like appearance, finding heavy grain decently resolved. Detail is appreciable at times, mostly reaching the limitation of the original cinematography. Street activity is dimensional, and interiors provide a look at decorative additions. Costuming is also fibrous, dealing with cold-weather wear. Colors retain moodiness, capturing the coolness of the setting with richer browns and grays. Brighter primaries are found in fashion and building appearances. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory.

Lost Country Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix remains largely frontal with the dialogue-driven film, keeping emotional exchanges and conversational moments clear. Music is used sparingly, but registers with crisp instrumentation. Atmospherics are acceptable, exploring protest actions and sporting activity. Low-end isn't challenged.

Lost Country Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Trailer (1:43, HD) is included.

Lost Country Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Lost Country" is set in 1996, but the story remains relevant today, following Stefan through a region where dissenters are kidnapped, propaganda and lies dominate the media, and political leadership is bent on maintaining control as they destroy democracy. Parts of the feature are chilling, but Perisic is aiming for emotional destruction, tracking the collapse of innocence and trust. It's a slow-burn viewing experience, and the ending is a bit too extreme, just shy of becoming a parody of European cinema, but "Lost Country" retains an interesting study of family ties and adolescence.