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Saturday, June 1, 2013

In the Land of Blood and Honey

Directed by Angelina Jolie? I was prepared to be disappointed, but I was astounded. This is accomplished film making: great directing, acting, & script, so kudos to Ms. Jolie. It is an important film that deals with terrible issues in today's world: the atrocities committed in sectarian violence  and especially the brutalities against women, in this case in the Serbian/Bosnian catastrophe. Jolie never uses the subject as a blunt instrument, there is no gratuitous violence thrust in your face. She shows just enough to let the viewer know that countless horrors occurred. Zana Marjanovic and Goran Kostic are the impressive actors at the fulcrum of the story. Kostic is a soldier carrying out the orders of his hate-filled father, and Marjanovic is one of the women imprisoned by him. Jolie creates a remarkable dance between them, of passion, hatred, trust, betrayal. 

Unfortunately, this skillfully crafted film with an crucial message barely made a ripple. By contrast, another big topic movie, Milk made a huge splash, but was a deeply flawed film. I suppose it got a hall pass due to the important subject matter. But, I wish that the subject had been handled in a much better film. For example, starting with the the opening scene: film making's weakest device, the voiceover, this time spoken into a tape recorder, and repeated throughout the film: dreadful. If you can't advance the story through acting & action, then you should get another director. Harvey Milk deserved better. I'm guessing that the Brangelina  schtick helped push Blood & Honey to the sidelines. I almost didn't see it. You should.

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