A clandestine relationship is tested by war, forced disguise, separation, and the exposure of a hidden identity.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Love Beneath the Siege
Milan and his partner live in a clandestine relationship in Sarajevo. The outbreak of the Bosnian War forces them to seek a way out of the city.
Key Events
Sarajevo Before War — Milan lives in Sarajevo with his concealed partner before the war begins. Characters: MilanLocation: Sarajevo
A Hidden Relationship — Milan maintains a clandestine same-sex relationship in wartime Sarajevo. Characters: MilanLocation: Sarajevo
War Breaks Out — The Bosnian War begins in 1992 and changes the couple's circumstances. Characters: MilanLocation: Sarajevo
Escape from Sarajevo — Milan and his partner attempt to escape the besieged city. Characters: MilanLocation: Sarajevo
The Dangerous Disguise
To evade Serbian militiamen, Milan's partner adopts a woman's disguise and is presented as Milan's wife. They travel toward Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia.
Key Events
A Woman's Disguise — Milan's partner disguises himself as a woman to avoid Serbian militiamen. Characters: MilanLocation: Sarajevo
Passing as Wife — Milan presents his disguised partner as his wife. Characters: MilanLocation: Sarajevo
Road to Eastern Bosnia — The pair travel toward Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia. Characters: MilanLocation: Road to Eastern Bosnia
Serb Stronghold — They reach a village described as a Serb stronghold. Characters: MilanLocation: Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia
A False Life in the Village
The pair continue their deception in a Serb stronghold. Milan is then conscripted into the army, leaving his partner behind.
Key Events
Living Under Deception — Milan and his partner continue living under the false identity. Characters: MilanLocation: Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia
Military Conscription — Milan is conscripted into the army. Characters: MilanLocation: Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia
Milan Leaves — Milan leaves the village after being conscripted. Characters: MilanLocation: Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia
Partner Left Behind — Milan's partner remains behind alone in the village.
Location: Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia
Ranka Learns the Truth
Ranka discovers the secret of the apparent woman living in the village. She responds by seducing Milan's partner while Milan is away.
Key Events
Ranka Notices the Secret — Ranka discovers the secret behind the apparent woman. Characters: RankaLocation: Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia
The Deception Is Exposed — Ranka's discovery threatens the hidden identity maintained in the village. Characters: RankaLocation: Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia
Ranka Seduces Him — Ranka seduces Milan's partner after learning the secret. Characters: RankaLocation: Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia
Absence Reshapes Allegiance — Milan's conscription and Ranka's intervention reshape the village relationship. Characters: Milan, RankaLocation: Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia
War-Torn Village — The village remains the central setting for the unresolved deception. Characters: Milan, RankaLocation: Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia
Unresolved Separation — The known plot ends with Milan absent and Ranka involved in the exposed secret. Characters: Milan, RankaLocation: Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia
Story Breakdown
Sarajevo Secret — Milan and his partner begin in Sarajevo, where their relationship must remain concealed.
Hidden Relationship — Milan lives in a clandestine same-sex relationship.
War Erupts — The Bosnian War transforms their private danger into a larger threat.
Escape Under Threat — The couple attempts to leave Sarajevo while avoiding Serbian militiamen.
Flight from Sarajevo — They try to escape the city after the war begins.
Militia Danger — The need to evade Serbian militiamen drives their deception.
The False Marriage — A disguise allows Milan and his partner to pass through danger as a conventional married couple.
Woman's Disguise — Milan's partner disguises himself as a woman.
Wife's Identity — Milan presents the disguised partner as his wife.
Village Deception — The pair continue the false identity in Milan's village, located in a Serb stronghold.
Eastern Bosnia — They travel to Milan's village in Eastern Bosnia.
Serb Stronghold — The village creates a hostile setting for their concealed life.
Separation by Conscription — Military conscription breaks the pair's immediate partnership and leaves the disguised partner behind.
Army Conscription — Milan is conscripted into the army.
Partner Left Behind — Milan's partner remains in the village after Milan leaves.
Ranka's Intervention — Ranka discovers the secret and changes the emotional balance of the village situation.
Secret Discovered — Ranka learns the truth about the apparent woman.
Seduction — Ranka seduces Milan's partner while Milan is absent.
In the 1990s, the Yugoslavia Federation falls apart in bloody wars. Perpetual student Milan, a Serb from a patriarchal community, and Kenan, a Muslim cellist, are a gay couple living in Sarajevo. Their lives, intimate and public, are shaken up by the aggression in Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose devastating consequences unfold in inter-ethnic hatred.
