La caza del dragón

Very interesting indie - the marks go up cos of it's subject. It's set in Belgrade and made with Serbians about a touchy, complicated subject - Balkan history... It must've been very hard to do in their country with that subject matter, which is why I give it more stars. The Serbian actors are brilliant and if you know history you know it's complicated for them. What's even better is that the story doesn't take sides, it just presents a position that we and the main character have to deal with - like, that's life - what you gonna do about it? He plays it well. The dissatisfaction with the compromise is written on his face. As well as this, it's an entertaining slow burn detective story that speaks to the classics, but doesn't feel dated or obvious. I wonder where David went in the end?

"Here Be Dragons" is an awesome thrill ride from beginning to end. The story follows an ordinary person thrown into a life-or-death situation, and the suspense never stops. The lead actor nails it, delivering a gripping performance that keeps you invested in every moment. The whole cast really adds to the plot, bringing depth and nuance to their roles.

Visually, the film is stunning, with perfect lighting and scenery that create a tense atmosphere, drawing you deeper into the story. The music makes everything even more intense, amplifying the suspense and adding to the overall immersive experience.

Overall, "Here Be Dragons" is a must-watch for thriller fans. It's exciting, well-acted, and visually captivating, offering an edge-of-your-seat experience that you won't want to miss.

The Yugoslav wars were a hellish fever dream of humanity at its worst, a bloody cocktail of genocide, betrayal, and shattered souls. It's into this cauldron of chaos that Alastair Newton Brown's "Here Be Dragons" dives headfirst, dragging us along for a ride that's equal parts heart-pounding thriller and gut-wrenching moral labyrinth.

David Locke, our war-weary protagonist, is not just any war crimes investigator. He's a man who's stared into the abyss and had it leer right back at him, a modern-day Ahab haunted by the spectre of Ivan Novak-a ghost of a war criminal believed to be dead but at the same time, believed to be quite possibly alive and living in Belgrade.

Locke's journey to Belgrade is a descent into the belly of the beast. The city's a bruised veteran of history, its streets soaked in blood and secrets. And Locke, driven by a concoction of duty, vengeance, and something darker, is the perfect guide through this maze of moral ambiguity. He infiltrates Novak's new life, getting chummy with his lounge-singer wife and psychologically scarred son. It's a relationship built on lies and manipulation, a fragile dance on the edge of a razor blade.

But this isn't your typical shoot-em-up thriller. No, Brown has crafted something far more insidious. The tension here isn't from car chases or explosions but from the claustrophobic grip of Locke's mission. The real horror lies in the questions the film forces us to confront. Can a man who's committed unspeakable atrocities ever find redemption? Can we, as a society, afford to forgive? Are we even the same people that we were decades ago?

Nathan Sapsford, who plays Locke, delivers a performance that's all clenched jaws and haunted eyes, a man barely holding it together as he stalks his prey whilst navigating the spiritually enervating realities of his lived experience. Props must however go to Vladimir Gvojic, who as Novak filled every scene with a measured elegiac intensity that allowed him to draw out the music in the dialogue and left me hanging on every word. Their interactions are the heart of the film, a deadly game of cat and mouse where the lines between hunter and hunted blur until you're not sure who's who anymore.

As a first feature film, "Here Be Dragons" is an ambitious endeavour that overcomes apparent budgetary shortfalls with creative framing, succulent cinematography and a thoroughly excellent score that serves as the perfect complement to the dark and brooding, atmosphere.

Though the final act brings out the big guns, don't come here looking for an action movie, this is so much more than that. It's a film that crawls under your skin and stays there, a stark reminder that the ghosts of the past are never truly laid to rest.

So, grab a stiff drink, buckle up, and prepare to be dragged through the muck of human nature. Brown's "Here Be Dragons" is a dark, relentless trip into the heart of darkness, and it's not one you'll soon forget.

A war crimes investigator for the UN takes on a special case that sees him return to Serbia. This taut mystery thriller is a debut feature for Australian director Alastair Newton Brown. I went into the film unawares of his credits and was blown away. Nathan Sapsford was brilliant in the lead role of David Locke. The whole cast was exceptional. Every character left an impression and added to the authenticity of the film. The cinematography was another standout. Character exchanges and their interaction with the Serbian setting was immersive. There were only a few moments at the end of the film when I had to suspend my disbelief briefly. I highly recommend this film to anyone who likes mystery or thriller films, especially ones with historical basis. I had the pleasure of watching this on the big screen at the Vision Splendid Film Festival. Looking forward to seeing more from this director and all the cast and crew involved. Brilliant.

Caught this on Prime and almost couldn't believe this kind of film was still being made, given all the generic sequels, prequels and remakes we are served constantly. Wonderful writing, direction and performances that do a nice job of bringing complex history to life. Paints a faithful (and noir-ish) picture of a complex situation. Doesn't treat you like a moron or pick sides. Expressive characters - great music and cinematography too - solid indie film. Noir fans and fans of detective mysteries set against a backdrop of intense history will enjoy this film. Oh and be warned - you may want to take up smoking after watching!