
Do You Remember Dolly Bell?
7.5
7.3
A tender Sarajevo adolescence turns dangerous when first love draws a thoughtful boy into the orbit of petty criminals.
Ember's analysis
- MoodWarm
- EnergyEnergetic
- PacingMeasured
- IntensityModerate
- ComplexityLayered
- ViolenceMild
More about the film
Overview
A young man's journey of love and self-discovery unfolds in a turbulent time.
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Emir Kusturica's debut as a poetic, gently melancholic coming-of-age film whose observational realism and whimsical touches announce a distinctive cinematic voice.
What sets it apart
- Dino's first love and attraction to small-time criminals unfold alongside his gradual understanding of adult power, sexuality, and family strain.
- The film combines observational depictions of 1960s Sarajevo with fanciful moments reflecting Dino's inner world.
- Dino's boy band, family life, and contact with petty criminals reveal changing aspirations in 1960s Sarajevo.
- Dino is hired to hide Dolly Bell, a prostitute, and falls in love with her despite the criminal circumstances surrounding their relationship.
Films like Do You Remember Dolly Bell?, and why
- The Way We WereBoth are gentle, melancholic coming-of-age films centered on first love, adolescence, and changing social worlds.
- The Last Picture ShowShares wistful youth, romantic awakening, and observational period drama shaped by family and social pressures.
- AmarcordComparable for poetic adolescence, eccentric family dynamics, whimsical realism, and bittersweet nostalgia.
Movie Details
- Director
- Emir Kusturica
- Release Date
- 1981-04-10
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (95)
Common questions
- What is Do You Remember Dolly Bell? about?
- A tender Sarajevo adolescence turns dangerous when first love draws a thoughtful boy into the orbit of petty criminals.
- What is Do You Remember Dolly Bell? like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Do You Remember Dolly Bell? as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Do You Remember Dolly Bell? violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Do You Remember Dolly Bell? as mild.
- What did critics think of Do You Remember Dolly Bell??
- Critics broadly regard Emir Kusturica's debut as a poetic, gently melancholic coming-of-age film whose observational realism and whimsical touches announce a distinctive cinematic voice.
- Which films are like Do You Remember Dolly Bell??
- Films with a similar feel include The Way We Were, The Last Picture Show, and Amarcord.
- How long is Do You Remember Dolly Bell??
- Do You Remember Dolly Bell? runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Do You Remember Dolly Bell??
- In United States, Do You Remember Dolly Bell? streams on Amazon Prime Video, Kanopy, Plex, Plex Player, Plex Channel, Fawesome, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Tubi TV.
Cast
- Emir KusturicaDirector
- Slavko ŠtimacDino
- Slobodan AligrudićFather
- Ljiljana BlagojevićDolly Bell
- Mira BanjacMother
- Pavle VuisićUncle
- Nada PaniAunt
- Boro StjepanovićCvikeraš
- Živko 'Žika' RistićČiča
- Mirsad ZulićBraco Šintor
- Jasmin ĆeloRasim Top

















