directed by: Danis Tanovic
starring: Branko Djuric; Rene Bitorajac; Filip Sovagovic; Georges Siatidis
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Man's Land (Belgium; Bosnia-Herzegovina;
France; Italy; Slovenia; UK; 98min.) directed by: Danis Tanovic starring: Branko Djuric; Rene Bitorajac; Filip Sovagovic; Georges Siatidis |
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| Diane says: "NO MAN'S LAND is more important as a war film than great as a film in general, despite the raves. It's an indictment particularly of UN peacekeeping forces, and of the absurdities of civil war, here between Bosnians and Serbs. A man lying on a mine symbolizes the country that will be destroyed by whomever loves it more fiercely. The inability of the UN forces to act hits home after seeing firsthand the Temporary International Presence in Hebron, whose job it is to observe and document--no intervention. Disconcerting to see Simon Callow, in a comic role, as UN forces head--not sure that was a good casting decision." 3 cats |
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Laura says:
"Tanovic keeps a trump card up his sleeve for his film's conclusion.
As he slams home the idiocy and futility of war and we expect everyone
to pack up and go home, he lets one last, horrible irony turn his giddy
circus into a shocking void. NO MAN'S LAND makes it's message go down
with a laugh before it sucker punches you." 3 1/2 cats |
| Robin says:
"First time writer/director Danis Tanovic enters the international
film forum with a solid work that depicts the sudden horror of war, but
also injects battleground humor that points out the cynicism and acceptance
of the toll it takes on the individuals who do the fighting. In one moment
of mirth a Serb soldier sits in his trench reading a newspaper and lamenting
to his comrade about how tough the folks in Rwanda have it. The comment
is, at once, both funny and sobering. Another wistful interchange, between
Nino and Chiki, reveals that, in peacetime, the both knew (and, maybe, loved)
the same girl. Tanovic's sense of whimsy, comedy and drama, and his ability
to combine them, makes the story both entertaining and thought provoking."
4 cats For Robin's complete review: "http://www.reelingreviews.com/nomansland.htm" |