Variola Vera

This article is about the film. For the disease with the same name, see smallpox.
Variola Vera
Directed by Goran Marković
Produced by Aleksandar Stojanović
Written by Goran Marković
Milan Nikolić
Starring Rade Šerbedžija,
Erland Josephson,
Rade Marković
Distributed by Art Film 80
Release dates
 July 9, 1982 (Yugoslavia)
September 9, 1982 (IFFR)
July 11, 1985 (Hungary)
Running time
 110 min
Country Yugoslavia
Language Serbocroatian

Variola Vera is a 1982 Yugoslav film directed by Goran Marković. The subject of the film is the 1972 outbreak of smallpox in Yugoslavia, more specifically the events related to the epidemic and the subsequent quarantine at Belgrade's General Hospital. Although inspired by the real events, the movie features elements of horror.

Plot

The film follows the journey of a Kosovar pilgrim on his way back to Belgrade from the Middle East. While at a bazaar, the pilgrim buys a flute from a man who is visibly ill. Upon his return to Belgrade, the pilgrim starts to show signs of illness and is transported to the city's General Hospital. His disease is initially misdiagnosed and the smallpox virus starts spreading through the hospital very quickly. Once the disease is correctly identified, the authorities attempt to subdue the outbreak by declaring martial law, enforcing quarantine and enlisting the help of the World Health Organization. Eventually, these measures prove to be effective to subdue the epidemic.

External links