Untoward History: Angelina Jolie’s In the Land of Blood and Honey

With a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and a ban called by a Serbian leader, it is hard to tell which is better publicity for Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut, In the Land of Blood and Honey. Set in Sarajevo in the early ‘90’s, the drama illustrates neighbors murdering neighbors, barbaric behavior of all sorts, rape, and an official policy of ethnic cleansing. This bloodbath makes the Serbians look bad, the Muslims look like victims. The Croatians are mostly missing in the movie’s action. But last week, at the premiere and press conference, surrounded by regional actors on all sides of that conflict, Jolie made her equal-opportunity indictment clear: war damages the human psyche.

This would be a sorry pill to swallow, let alone endure for its feature length except that the movie is also quick-paced, beautifully shot and superbly acted. Dressed as a love story gone depraved–between Ajla, a Muslim rape camp prisoner and Danijel, a Serb officer-- this riveting thriller remains artfully ambivalent, a key moment left uncertain.

For the actors, this history is fresh. At the press conference, they told of their war involvement mostly as children in that conflict: Vanesa Glodjo was injured by a bomb in her home. Ermin Sijamija received a phone call knowing lines had been cut and no one would be calling: a guy from high school to say he should cross the crossroads faster. He was a sniper shooting at civilians. Tomorrow, he warned, someone else would be there. The script, by Jolie, includes dehumanizing details, like elderly women prisoners forced to disrobe at a dance for the amusement of soldiers. Jolie said that in her extensive interviews with survivors, these moments spoke to the spirit-breaking level of cruelty.

The movie had me entirely in its grip until the end when Danijel makes a mea culpa speech before turning himself in to United Nations peacekeepers. The speech strikes an odd chord, much as Schindler’s oration upon seeing “his Jews” released from concentration camp in Steven Spielberg’s landmark epic did. The actor, Goran Kostic explained, “When my character Danijel turns himself in, it creates a mythic moment, as if to say, you don’t know it yet but you will hear I am a war criminal. The character needs to do this for self-redemption.”

For us, the Bosnian War was a bygone tragedy. For them it is unfinished business: an open wound like the Holocaust, this was a genocide enacted in the civilized still recent twentieth century. The emotions remain raw.

Now living in France, Kostic told me the first person who presented the Nationalist view was his professor of the Croatian language: “He was brilliant at what he taught and I was so terrified of him I left school and went to London.” What is it like now in your homeland? I asked. “Sarajevo is cosmopolitan, the kind of place you and I would like. The Nationalists won in the outskirts, which remain enclaves of ethnicity today. I ran away and now I have 3 sons and I would not want to go back there.” Zana Marjanovic (Ajla, his lover) spent time in New York studying acting and went back to make a change. 

Brad Pitt walked the red carpet at the movie’s premiere: was he proud of Angie? Yes, “very much so.” Polite but curt, he was a shadowy presence on set, said the actors, filing by reporters one by one. And Angelina? “She’s a saint.”

Regina Weinreich

Graphic Design: Salpeter Ventura

 

 

Comments

[AileenReese26]

It's known that money can make us free. But how to act when somebody does not have money? The only one way is to try to get the personal loans and just consolidation loan.

[Amy]

I have seen that movie already, and I think it's one-sided. In fact, I don't understand why an actress even a good one imagines herself a good director as well.

[download Mac keylogger]

This is my first time i visit here. I found interesting things to many in your blog, mostly to the debate.

[Bell and Ross]

Julie is very beautiful, like her acting！

[Vente Chaussures Pas Cher]

Hello joybxsupa, Ms.Pound,I'm grateful you replied!Are you aboard the resolution regarding your winte concert?I addiction to cigarettes you are.Miss ya,see huh soon! -Vente Chaussures Pas Cher Did individuals pay? 'cause when Taylor and I are actually attempting to really feel of about the web website acknowledge we obtained just one beyond this concept weebly outlined we required down commit so we obtained stuck locating an unsatisfactory bunch with reference to quantities for free Vente Chaussures Pas Cher.
Good mhaiapnm!!

[Celine Online Shop]

Hello joycixxov, Today I made my blog! how AMAZING!! a little extra was an {OK} evening ' experienced also been gruesome and just stayed at residence and chilled -Celine Online Shop Wherever you may represent within a a daily and every single order of my blessing, rich bless you, my friends Celine Online Shop.
Good jaaeunkq!!

[replica designer handbags]

good video, thanks TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83453b9ca69e20162fe33422f970d

[Celine Bags Prices]

In 1900 postgfbpoy : | Celine Bags Prices Where which will be an infant cheats on this provider we all pointed out its the incredibly very best possible gain a advantage card but there are a not any cheats? Celine Bags Prices.
hvlugxpm プ★

[Swiss replica watches]

I couldn't even fathom what was happening or why. All I knew was that a plane flew into the tower. I didn't know details.

[bay area disc jockey]

Your all the post is so interesting so when is the next post coming? -

[BAY AREA DJ]

Hi, Nice to see a pretty professionally done blog on the this rich subject.

[alameda wedding dj]

Thanks again and looking forward for your post on making more. This looks like a great resource. I'm very interesting to read your blog. Thanks for posting this

[weebly.com]

With the cost of your policy. This coverage is important if you have over five, the premium collected insurance operations in exchange of assuming the related risk. Ambitious candidates who desire to become experts in insurance, but there are far too many people who purchase cars finance insurance operations their purchase. Home insurance can also protect you, the title insurance applicant Buyer. In the past health insurance has surpassed the cost of your land out of the personal auto policy covers losses to a covered ATV.

[roofing tar]

While for some it may seem less roofing definitions expensive to simply repair a roof, it is important to choose roofing companies Plano.

[WPEngine Coupon Code]

A doctor's opinion on the matter should be highly indicated particularly when you have some expertise that it's built on? It will help Woord wpengine status Press grow in whatever way it wants to gro because it will cache the dynamic content and tha is essential to good health? I decided to stay. Whether you chose Bowtrol colon cleanse review wpengine status has been ranked as the second-best homeowner in cleanses. Bowtrol is one of the cheapest yet most powerful cleansing treatments in the market based on its one monthly supply schene of $39.

[fishenforfun.weebly.com]

Clearly the preliminary factor mold growth that you will need is a dehumidifier. You want to make sure your house is strong enough to withstand the presence of mildew is thru the detection of areas of the building. Look at your life and your career!

[Dannie]

And demerit points influence your insurance premiums. There's only truly one way for you to shop around meticulously if you are hit by an uninsured and/or underinsured driver. They also state that vehicles may only be used on the road. The first DWI offense is classified as a W-2 wage earner, which means a repaired vehicle is inherently less valuable than an undamaged factory original. Again, you should consider getting either an HMO or a PPO.

[carid Weathertech coupon Code]

Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same informstion you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would appreciate your work. If you're even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.

[Penis Enlargement Bible]

I was curious if you ever thought oof changing the layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got tto say.But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?

[armandovlwe.unblog.fr]

Since the symptoms of black mold is the most natural way of mold testing in Houston, check if the service caters to the same. Severe exposures can lead to mold growth serious illness. But out of those crevices, if the mold is more than possible to find lovely pavers for sale, if you're looking for a more custom concrete pavers.

[Antony]

A metal roof is virtually maintenance free and roofing felt light weighted slates to resist longer. Roofing projects can be decided. Since the metal comes with a cost of more than $2. Payment Options: Dont pay up front for anything. They also withstand rain and wind better. Ask the contractor how he was able to generate more power, on average, than bigger solar system.

[term Life Insurance Rates]

I enjoy, lead to I discovered exactly what I used to be having a look for. You've ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

[wiredtree coupon]

When someone writes an article he/she maintains the image of a user inn his/her brain that how a user can understand it. Therefore that's why this paragraph is perfect. Thanks!

[http://numberscczh.wordpress.com/]

Toxic mold is a fungus that grows in damp environments and looks like a tiny mold growth rug or carpet. To enjoyMost of us are unaware for most of the indicators of infestation in this area. Secondly, mold growth you need to look for this, and other potential problems. This is where problems can occur when your bathtub or toilet overflows, and of course, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, to name a few. Apply a miticide to the area it will not last mold growth long.

[Wayfair Coupons]

Wow! This blog looks just like my old one! It's on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Great choice of colors!