El infierno 2005

Tanovic combines a compelling and riveting narrative with powerful and believable acting by a superb cast to create a thought-provoking, challenging, and rewarding film.

Premiered tonight at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film was well received by the audience, myself included. It was suitably thought-provoking and had me later thinking back to earlier moments in the film to forge my own connections with later events. I might even call the film thought-challenging - definitely a European, not American film, and ready to deal with tough and complex issues of family, betrayal, guilt, and self-doubt.

There were definitely some disturbing scenes and themes, but between Tanovic's direction and the actors' tour de force performances, I got through them, occasionally wanting to look away but compelled to watch nonetheless. Tanovic said before the screening began that he didn't expect the audience to necessarily "enjoy" the film, but hoped that we would appreciate it and watch it through to the end. I both appreciated it and watched it through to the end, and I can say without a doubt that I did enjoy it. Bravo to Mr. Tanovic and the actresses and actors (and the others involved in the making of this film).

I would take my friends to see this film, and then go out for coffee or a drink to discuss it with them.