Kiss the Future

As I saw the movie today, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised as it turned out to be an excellent documentary which follows the siege of Sarajevo and Bosnia. It shows how the people found strength trough music in order to escape and oppose the brutality of war. It is a story about human spirit and the power of music, an art as well.

The big part in the documentary was the Irish band U2. They showed emphaty towards the citizens of Sarajevo as they experienced the brutality of war in their own homeland Ireland. The narration was excellent, good storytelling along with the live music from U2 concerts. Powerful documentary indeed.

First and foremost: this movie powerfully reminisces the horrible years of siege of Sarajevo, and the role of artistic expression in human coping and survival. Through statements of actual participants in Sarajevo's wartime underground art&music, and via the story of U2's support - movie makes excellent points of transcendental values such as empathy, equality, importance of peace and it's protection, active resistance against all sorts of aggressiveness, etc.

However, the authors made three unnecessary extensions to the main story : first - tried to explain historical context through short clips about Milosevic. That was waaay too simplistic; adequate only for those that must have a bad guy / food guy dichotomy in every story. It goes to the absurd explanation of M.'s fate ... indictment in Hague-ICJ, although that indictment is not related to the war in Bosnia!

Second: choosing Christiane Amanpour to talk about tough times of people under siege - is adding insult to the fate of millions hurt by the wars she & CNN supported (since late 90s).

Third: at the very end, the authors clumped 30ish seconds of, from their perspective, "modern evils" (Putin, Berlusconi, Trump,...) . If they (authors) really think that such a "conclusion" is appropriate - then they are setting themselves as propagandists. Who needs that?

This movie captured many nuances of the genocide that occurred in Sarajevo. To see many of the voices and people who tirelessly worked to maintain community in the spotlight during our darkest time is a grace we will not forget. It is one thing to survive, it is another to experience what were some of humanities brightest, most ingenious moments during the darkest time. We consider Kiss the Future as a documentary that is working to preserve the culture of our nation and city; one that examines how important diversity is not just on the surface but deep within the heart of how this city beats.

This is an incredible story about a tragic point in history and the collaboration of Bill Carter and U2 to force the world to look and see what was happening to Sarajevo. A MUST see!! I was a teenager when this happened, and I only followed it from a periphery at that age. See all of this incredible archival footage brought it all back. It was also incredible that there was so much footage on the people followed through the documentary. It makes the story telling much more real. I left this movie with the renewed belief that 1 person (Bill Carter) CAN move mountains. The director threaded the story perfectly and the interview settings are stunning!

"Kiss the Future" delivering a powerful exploration of the resilience of music amidst the war-torn backdrop of Sarajevo. This poignant masterpiece seamlessly weaves together interviews, archival footage, offering a hauntingly beautiful testament to the indomitable human spirit.

The interviews with musicians and survivors are deeply moving, offering a nuanced perspective on the role of music in the face of adversity. The documentary succeeds in giving a voice to those who found courage and resilience through their art, creating a narrative that is as educational as it is emotionally impactful.

This film not only sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of history but also serves as a testament to the universal language of music that transcends cultural and political divides. "Kiss the Future" is not just a documentary; it's a profound meditation on the enduring power of art to heal and inspire even in the darkest of times.

In an era flooded with documentaries, "Kiss the Future" stands out as a magnum opus that demands attention. Bravo to the entire team for creating a work of art that transcends its genre and leaves an enduring impact on the soul.