IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY (2011)

Genre: Drama/Romance
Director: Angelina Jolie
Cast: Zana Marjanovic, Goran Kostic, Rade Serbedzija, Nikola Djuricko, Branko Djuric
Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins
Rating: M18 (Sexual Scenes and Sexual Violence)
Released By: Shaw
Official Website: http://www.inthelandofbloodandhoney.com/

Opening Day: 1 March 2012

Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of the Bosnian War that tore the Balkan region apart in the 1990s, In the Land of Blood and Honey tells the story of Danijel (Goran Kosti) and Ajla (pronounced Ayla) (Zana Marjanovi), two Bosnians from different sides of a brutal ethnic conflict. Danijel, a Bosnian Serb police officer, and Ajla, a Bosnian Muslim artist, are together before the war, but their relationship is changed as violence engulfs the country. Months later, Danijel is serving under his father, General Nebojsa Vukojevich (Rade erbedija), as an officer in the Bosnian Serb Army. He and Ajla come face to face again when she is taken from the apartment she shares with her sister, Lejla (Vanesa Glodjo), and Lejla's infant child by troops under Danijel's command. As the conflict takes hold of their lives, their relationship changes, their motives and connection to one another become ambiguous and their allegiances grow uncertain. In the Land of Blood and Honey portrays the incredible emotional, moral and physical toll that the war takes on individuals as well as the consequences that stem from the lack of political will to intervene in a society stricken with conflict.

Movie Review:

It is easy to understand why American actress (and now director) made this film. The one half of Brangelina is known for promoting humanitarian causes as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. After getting an Academy Award, two Screen Actor Guild Awards and three Golden Globe Awards, it seems almost natural for the world’s most beautiful woman (a gracious title world has bestowed upon her) to go behind the scenes and call the shots as a director.

Besides helming the film, Jolie also pens the story set in Sarajevo against the backdrop of the Bosnian War that tore the Balkan region apart in the 1990s. The protagonist is a soldier fighting for the Bosnian Serbs, and a Bosnian Muslim woman he was romantically involved with before the war. As fate would have it, she is now held captive in the camp he oversees. To make things worse, the soldier is serving under his father, a Bosnian Serb general. Amidst the pressures of war, can the two rekindle their love?

It is most admirable of Jolie to tell this story of how women are treated brutally during the Bosnian War. To most viewers (whom this reviewer assume may not be that well informed in history like him), this is yet another production which sheds light on the past, and provides lessons on how certain things in history shouldn’t be repeated. We can almost feel the anger and frustration Jolie felt when writing and directing the scenes where the women are forced to be sex slaves for the Serb soldiers. However, if the film wasn’t spearheaded by Jolie, would we have cared more?

The 127 minute film moves at an almost sluggish pace, and the predictable plot developments do not help to keep less impatient audiences engaged. There really isn’t anything new or innovative to discover here, and the ill fated protagonists’ tragic love story isn’t particularly affecting either. Things also seem oversimplified as one also isn’t given enough context to feel for the doomed romance between the soldier and his lover.

To be fair, Jolie’s directorial debut has its merits. Production values are strong throughout, with the cinematography by Dean Semler especially outstanding. The cast also deserves points for their unflinching performances. UK based Bosnian Serb actor Goran Kostic takes on the central role of the emotionally torn soldier with his rugged looks. The 40 year old has a slight resemblance to Daniel Craig, and that aids his portrayal as a manly military man whose feelings can be hurt. Sharing screen time with Kostic is Bosnian actress Zana Marjanovic, who has the inevitable task of appearing nude in the movie. Though she’s not your typical beauty, her on screen presence nicely complements the character’s struggles depicted in the story. It also helps that the student of the Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo’s chemistry with her leading man is spot on.

It is probably Jolie’s intention to take on a cold and distanced look at love during war, but in the larger scheme of things, the central plot becomes increasingly myopic as the film progresses. Unfortunately, even the somewhat thoughtful conclusion cannot salvage the situation.

Movie Rating:

(Though admirable, Jolie’s directorial debut feels somewhat inadequately unaffecting)

Review by John Li