markjankovic

An excellent film that is quite to the point. I noticed some comments on here trying to justify the violence that occurred during the war. Much of which on factually inaccurate claims. I guess the war never ended. Claiming inflated numbers such as 700,000 Serbs dying in WWII is irrelevant to the film and also false. While conveniently leaving out the genocidal actions of Serbian Chetniks. This film depicts the horrors of war. If some can not handle the vile acts done in their name, it is their own problem. It is important to look at this film as a condemnation of these atrocities and to make it our goal that it never happens again. Not to demonize anyone. Do Germans get upset when a Nazi film is created? No, for it is history and we must learn from it, not whitewash it and forget about it.

Considering this is a film about the Yugoslav wars, particularly the Croatian war for Independence, made in a Balkan nation shortly after the war, I was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting a typical war film, focusing on demonizing the "other side" (Serbs, Bosniaks) and rewriting the history books like "Undeground" or "Pretty Village, Pretty Flame". But instead the film does not vilify anyone nor create a victim complex. The film is focused on a group of Yugoslav soldiers who plan to join the effort of fighting for the country's (Croatia) Independence, defecting from the Yugoslav army. Other Croats seem to view it their duty to uphold Yugoslav unity and stay. Without spoiling anything, the viewpoints of both pro-Independence Croats and pro-Yugoslavia Croats is given a humane view. Betray your fellow soldiers or your fellow people? The film is neither anti nor pro Yugoslavia. Truly a breath of fresh air in terms of a war film. Carnage is into the focus, but the complicated life decisions each character is making as the war unravels.

It is important to bear in mind, this film was partially state funded under the Milosevic regime. Not surprising that Croatian or Bosnians characters are depicted as dumb or violent. As for historic war scenes again, the bias seems to land in portraying non-Serbian factions as the worse. Cannot say I am surprised to see this and it really ruins the films genuine integrity. The writer of the film seems quite dishonest in doing so. The opening scenes of WWII for example, completely demonizes the Croats as fascists while disregarding the anti-Fascists movement that grew. It is perhaps the same argument Serbs make of Hollywood films portraying Serbs as the villain. SO this might be the "counter balance".