Just as the hostilities are mounting on the territory of the former Yugoslavia in summer 1995, Boro returns to his home village in Herzegovina, taking with him his wife and son. The combination of summer heat and political tension seems to exacerbate human traits of greed, selfishness and coldness. In this troubled atmosphere, the smouldering conflicts between members of the family culminate in a painful confrontation with the long-suppressed past, bringing about a general reconciliation – with the assistance of the donkey in the title. But despite the seemingly cathartic conclusion, a hint of unease remains: a presentiment of the dire consequences awaiting a patriarchal society unable to learn and incapable of communicating.
Just as the hostilities are mounting on the territory of the former Yugoslavia in summer 1995, Boro returns to his home village in Herzegovina, taking with him his wife and son. The combination of summer heat and political tension seems to exacerbate human traits of greed, selfishness and coldness. In this troubled atmosphere, the smouldering conflicts between members of the family culminate in a painful confrontation with the long-suppressed past, bringing about a general reconciliation – with the assistance of the donkey in the title. But despite the seemingly cathartic conclusion, a hint of unease remains: a presentiment of the dire consequences awaiting a patriarchal society unable to learn and incapable of communicating.