Better Life — Season 1
I want a life, a better life, to grab it like a tiger
About this season
Trials and tribulations of the Popadic family, a typical family of five with everyday problems... BOLJI ŽIVOT is a Yugoslav TV series with mixed elements of soap opera, comedy and drama that aired from 1987 to 1991. Created by the Radiotelevision Belgrade it is considered to be the most successful TV show ever produced in Yugoslavia. Written by Siniša Pavić, most prolific Serbian screenwriter, the series helped jump start cinematic careers for many of its protagonists, most notably Dragan Bjelogrlić who went on to become successful actor, director, and producer.
Episodes (22)
1. Bolji Zivot
Aired 10 January 1987 • 40 min
In this episode, we meet the Popadić family: their mother Ema, father Dragiša, daughter Violeta, and sons Saša and Boba. Amid the overall chaos, Ema has ordered an expensive Chinese carpet, and Dragiša’s financial problems are overwhelming even without that. Saša has become such a frequent visitor at the Employment Office counter that he has already befriended the clerk, Koka—new romantic sparks are on the horizon. Boba gets yet another bad grade at school. We learn that Dragiša’s older sister has died, and this modest old woman leaves a will and a large inheritance to Dragiša and his children.
2. Testament
Aired 17 January 1987 • 40 min
Auntie has set a specific condition for each heir that must be fulfilled in order to gain the right to use the inheritance: Violeta must get married and devote herself to family life, Saša must find a job, Boba must finish secondary school with at least a “4” average grade, and Dragiša must erect a gravestone/monument for his aunt. The heirs’ initial excitement immediately fades. Violeta wants to pursue acting and the arts and isn’t even thinking about marriage. Saša can’t find a job at all, because there are many people like him at the Employment Office, and Boba can barely manage to pass the year.
3. Terminator
Aired 24 January 1987 • 40 min
4. Skandal
Aired 31 January 1987 • 40 min
5. Zaruke
Aired 7 February 1987 • 40 min
6. Jataganac
Aired 14 February 1987 • 40 min
7. Zarucnicki prsten
Aired 21 February 1987 • 40 min
8. Uloga
Aired 28 February 1987 • 40 min
9. Portret
Aired 7 March 1987 • 40 min
10. Godisnjica mature
Aired 14 March 1987 • 40 min
11. Odluka
Aired 21 March 1987 • 40 min
12. Gigin flert
Aired 28 March 1987 • 40 min
13. Zaposlenje
Aired 4 April 1987 • 40 min
14. Romeo i Julija
Aired 11 April 1987 • 40 min
15. Svijedodzba
Aired 18 April 1987 • 40 min
16. Svadba
Aired 25 April 1987 • 40 min
17. Zavodnik
Aired 2 May 1987 • 40 min
18. Prvi radni dan
Aired 9 May 1987 • 40 min
19. Giga zeli razvod
Aired 16 May 1987 • 40 min
20. Krivo optuzen
Aired 23 May 1987 • 40 min
21. Specijalizacija
Aired 30 May 1987 • 40 min
22. Giga odlazi
Aired 6 June 1987 • 40 min