By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Danis Tanovic
Starring: Branko Djuric | Filip Sovagovic | Georges Siatidis | Rene Bitorajac
Country: belgium, bosnia-herzegovina, france, italy, slovenia, united_kingdom
Year: 2001
Running time: 98
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0283509
Diane says: “NO MAN’S LAND is more important as a war film than great as a film in general, despite the raves. It’s an indictment particularly of UN peacekeeping forces, and of the absurdities of civil war, here between Bosnians and Serbs. A man lying on a mine symbolizes the country that will be destroyed by whomever loves it more fiercely. The inability of the UN forces to act hits home after seeing firsthand the Temporary International Presence in Hebron, whose job it is to observe and document–no intervention. Disconcerting to see Simon Callow, in a comic role, as UN forces head–not sure that was a good casting decision.” 3 cats
Laura says: “Tanovic keeps a trump card up his sleeve for his film’s conclusion. As he slams home the idiocy and futility of war and we expect everyone to pack up and go home, he lets one last, horrible irony turn his giddy circus into a shocking void. NO MAN’S LAND makes it’s message go down with a laugh before it sucker punches you.” 3 1/2 cats
For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/nomansland.htm”
Robin says: “First time writer/director Danis Tanovic enters the international film forum with a solid work that depicts the sudden horror of war, but also injects battleground humor that points out the cynicism and acceptance of the toll it takes on the individuals who do the fighting. In one moment of mirth a Serb soldier sits in his trench reading a newspaper and lamenting
to his comrade about how tough the folks in Rwanda have it. The comment is, at once, both funny and sobering. Another wistful interchange, between Nino and Chiki, reveals that, in peacetime, the both knew (and, maybe, loved) the same girl. Tanovic’s sense of whimsy, comedy and drama, and his ability to combine them, makes the story both entertaining and thought provoking.” 4 cats
For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/nomansland.htm”