Sunday, March 04, 2012

Angelina Jolie Writes & Directs a Compelling New Movie ...

"In the Land of Blood & Honey" ... a movie written and directed by Angeline Jolie and nominated for a Golden Globe award in the "Foreign Film" category. This movie attempts to present an intimate story of love and betrayal in the midst of the horrific Bosnian War (April 1992 - December 1995).






This movie was violent, as one would expect, but as movies go now-a-days --with all of the modern special effects-- it was tastefully done ... well, as tasteful as you can make the violence of war and ethnic cleansing. I often had tears in my eyes while watching ... this movie tugs on your heartstrings and takes you on an emotional ride. You truly become vested in the struggles --both internal as well as external-- of the main characters.

A well written script in this film held my attention ... even though at times reflecting upon the true horrors of war made me extremely nauseous (and I did have to fast forward through a few parts). Perhaps this film is not one to watch for the truly empathetic? The latter aside, this film addresses a topic that maybe many don't like to talk about in our modern day society: war and mans' capacity for inhumanity towards his fellow man.  I think people in our modern world feel connected, safe and thus have a false sense of empowerment and security, that in reality can come crashing down with just the flip of a switch at the hands of a few armed and misguided souls.

"In the Land of Blood of Honey" is a powerful drama that compels reflection upon the true nature of war and the toll that it takes on all parties involved. With her lead characters, Danijel (Goran Kostic)  and Ajla (Zana Marjanovic), Ms. Jolie skillfully leads the viewer on a journey to search within themselves for their own feelings on an unpleasant, but nonetheless clearly possible reality of our modern-day world. This film also raises awareness about the true atrocities committed during the Bosnian war, among them the lack of timely and meaningful response by outside nations.

As far as I am concerned, "information is power"... but with all of the information --and distractions-- available in today's technological world one has to be selective in choosing meaningful information from time to time. To my way of thinking, the movie "In the Land of Blood & Honey" falls into the category of meaningful information --as well as food for thought-- worth your time and effort to watch, process and digest.  Hopefully, Ms. Jolie's artistic take on a tragic war from the intimate perspective of love and betrayal will plant the seeds of thought that will be a future deterrent to any war of ethnic cleansing, such as the Bosnian tragedy, from ever happening again. Perhaps upon reflection after watching this film, the viewer will will awaken to the awareness that times may call in our very own lives where we must find the strength and courage to be the "lone voice of reason --if necessary-- in a world gone mad" and do our part to take a stand against evil in our midst.

After watching this movie, I will keep the people of this region --especially the up to 50,000 women who were repeatedly and violently assaulted during the 3 1/2 year conflict-- in my ongoing thoughts and prayers. May God, our Creator, lay a gentle hand of Peace and Hope upon these souls, filling any remaining fear and emptiness with His infinite and ever-sustaining Love.




"Throughout the war, as many as 20,000 to 50,000 women were raped, many while in captivity. In response, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia would eventually … become the first tribunal to prosecute rape as an independent crime against humanity."












1 comment:

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