The High Sun

Otherwise, beautifully shot, good acting. Usually war trauma stories, but my time was not wasted. There's one season that I won't spoil, was emotionally disturbing, but without being visually exploitive. There's some quiet/unspoken devastation, coming from the culture or the war trauma, that I found grilling.

Just because the film is better than most of the other work from the director, still doesn't make it great. The stories brought nothing new to the table so that one could be very engaged for the long timespan of the film.

It's been 20 years since the war in Yugoslavia, and the hate between the two nations has been growing like a balloon. The people who used to live in harmony and love for almost 40 years, are now living in animosity, that being their everyday life. Thus, whoever dared to speak about this subject or even try to forget or forgive, has been criticized from the both sides and named as traitor. Living in that kind of environment for that long must have been frustrating and agonizing and leave no space to make progress.

This film is dealing with all the frustrations and emotions of the people affected by the war. It shows that a war can last longer in our heads after it is finished. Everyone can relate to this story. Everyone who is "on the other side". It is about love and hate, and how love can easily be replaced by hate and grow even bigger. Through two very complex and vulnerable characters, placed in three decades, Matanic shows us the layers and consequences of the war. The first story is about love, the second about hate and the third about forgiving and loving again. Being in the same age in all three stories, the characters represent the subconscious that war evoked in the people's minds. So, we either end up loving again or dying slowly with hatred in our hearts.

It's beautifully shot film, with long and captivating shots portraying the reality of every character and holding to their emotions. The actors are the highlight of the film, taking every scene and making us bear with them all the time.

It is a very brave film that want us to close the doors to nationalism and make a step forward to humanism.

A lot of films tried to portray the war in Yugoslavia, but i guess none of them could speak from the heart. "The High Sun" finally does exactly that. Dalibor Matanic finally breaks the silence and shows us the only way there is and ever been. Love. 9/10

Before you go . . .

Get familiar with the conflicts along the Balkans, and particularly a historic rivalry (not always friendly) between Serbians and Croats.

You need to be fully aware when one story ends and the other begins because there is no link between them but the main actors are always the same.

Because there is one scene with quite explicit sex, you may feel uncomfortable unless you and your company are in enough confidence.

With that said,

Fabulous film

First great thing: dialogues and relationship between characters are greatly portrayed. Although the cinematography and acting is very good the story is very slow and boring. Also movie is very long and it could be 45 minutes shorter.