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The plot is literally ripped from the headlines, and is straightforward. A collar bomb is placed on an unsuspecting victim, mother of a household, and ransom is demanded. And here starts her family's agonizing journey to resolve the situation.

As a movie viewer, you soon realize that the movie starts off in a seemingly long continuous take - not uncommon in many films. Then there comes a point that you realize that the filmmaker has likely committed himself to filming the ENTIRE movie in one continuous take.

Filmed, then, in real-time, to the movie detriment, there is really no opportunity to build characters or backstories or plot twists or motives behind anything or subplots. What's left, gratifyingly, to the movie's brilliance, is a mesmerizing exercise in filmmaking.

Fully committed to this technique, stretches of the film, regrettably, feel tedious. But this is frankly unavoidable.

With little if any soundtrack to speak of, the movie can only build tension through body language and gestures and dialogue and somewhat succeeds.

The movie also is also intriguing in its exhibition of bomb squad procedures in the backwoods of a foreign country.

Flaws aside, the movie is compelling to watch from beginning to end, and most discriminating movie viewers will appreciate the intricate staging what with complex tracking and attention to shadows from the camera person and possible crew - a fascinating movie to watch.