FilmDistrict | Release Date: December 23, 2011
3.2
USER SCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 87 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
24
Mixed:
9
Negative:
54
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8
Pablo_KubanoidOct 20, 2017
The movie is absolutely worth watching. Maybe the plot could be a bit more elaborate but the general idea of the movie, IMHO, is pretty close to what really happened in Bosnia + performance of Zana Marjanovic is superb.
I can understand why
The movie is absolutely worth watching. Maybe the plot could be a bit more elaborate but the general idea of the movie, IMHO, is pretty close to what really happened in Bosnia + performance of Zana Marjanovic is superb.
I can understand why this movie has so many negative reviews - I’ve been to Serbia lately and found out that the Internet connection is good there. Now, seriously, some guys are complaining that Serbs are shown as good and Bosnians as bad in the movie but, firstly, there is a difference between a Serb and a Chetnik and secondly, it is almost the same as if a German would complain about bad Nazis and good Russians shown in a WWII movie. There is no denying that all the parties were involved in atrocities but there is a difference between a genocide and retaliation, though both things are absolutely unacceptable. I do agree with some reviewers that European countries and the US proved themselves spineless and hypocritical regarding the conflict and its settlement.
I’m Russian and I’m kind of supposed to support Serbs in this issue but after the trip to Balkans (both Serbia and Bosnia) I have a strong opinion about the distribution of roles in the conflict and it matches with the view of AJ.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
is24Feb 3, 2012
No point of making any movie on this subject without knowing these facts unless you just want to ignore them. The must read actual facts address given by the late General Pierre-Marie Gallois on March 25, 2009, in Paris.No point of making any movie on this subject without knowing these facts unless you just want to ignore them. The must read actual facts address given by the late General Pierre-Marie Gallois on March 25, 2009, in Paris. http://www.balkanstudies.org/articles/understanding-balkan-wars. If you want to make a movie not based on historical facts, than it might as well be a comedy. I was not expecting AJ to be this disrespectful towards victims on all sides especially since she saw real suffering. 5 stars for the cast and the good cinematography. Too bad, this was the opportunity to say something powerful from a romantic perspective. Everyone there was guilty, including the international community, the ones that did nothing and the ones that caused the whole thing and got involved later; (emphasizing Serbs as main villains is not the reality. Showing violence done just by one nationality and expecting to unite people there? All sides were extremely violent. This war is a typical - book example of a divide and conquer situation done by superpowers. As a result you have many head-cases self-elect themselves to do the tortures in the "name of their nations". Horrible reality.

I don't think that the goal of the writer/director was a divide and conquer. Lack of knowledge- yes. After centuries of suffering, damage and dissecting of the Balkans by superpowers conquer what? Another superpower match over who will rule the skies above and the Adriatic? While the citizens in the area end up being just casualties of war!
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6 of 9 users found this helpful63
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0
PegazzzJan 26, 2012
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Shallow and banal. Typical Hollywood version of a war. No wonder it has 3.3 on IMD. Rambo and James Bond movies are art for this peace of garbage that is directed by Angelina Jollie. Expand
10 of 18 users found this helpful108
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0
bomco011Jan 26, 2012
Movie made from one sided view, without any desire to understand and explain to the viewers reality and tragedy of all sides involved in that tragic war
10 of 18 users found this helpful108
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1
Sasha62Jan 20, 2012
For the trained or informed viewer the message becomes utterly
predictable only after the introduction part of the story. After that
it is highly insulting for the Serbs and all factually informed people who personally know about civil war,
For the trained or informed viewer the message becomes utterly
predictable only after the introduction part of the story. After that
it is highly insulting for the Serbs and all factually informed people
who personally know about civil war, especially about that tragic
region more than what the average Western viewer will ever be allowed
to know via their usually available media sources that are not
objective no matter how many times they are keen to repeat that fib.
Seriously good acting and good standard directing for a cherry-popping
movie for Jolie... I wish Angelina could have done it so much better
and fairer with her not really informative story line in her debut that
smells of dubious and occasionally even obvious subjectivity during her
"research" period. On the other hand; if Madonna can get a Golden Globe
for a song nobody really knows, I would not be surprised if she gets an
Oscar for a movie nobody will remember. As long some positive PR spin
done for US policy no matter how deeply stereotypically hypocritical it
is. It's all a game for that part of that franchise; a cruel game of
mirror-mirage distortion in pursuit of the Holy dollar no matter how
dirty or otherwise contaminated the financier's banknote really is and
where it is coming from. Really exposing debut for such a talented
actress and director but from an unexpected and rather dark angle...
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12 of 22 users found this helpful1210
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0
Pegasus92Feb 18, 2012
If Angelina wanted to tell a story she should have told it from both angle, because every story has two sides. Bosnians committed crimes during that war also, but nobody mentioned that.
7 of 13 users found this helpful76
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0
nkpravJan 20, 2012
Hollywood history. Topic of this story is subject to much heated debate among historians, lawyers and politicians and one, Hollywood actress is trying to tell us the story in oversimplified and one sided way, which wouldn't be too dangerousHollywood history. Topic of this story is subject to much heated debate among historians, lawyers and politicians and one, Hollywood actress is trying to tell us the story in oversimplified and one sided way, which wouldn't be too dangerous if this was some action movie. But this film, pretends to be serious and historical, and one by watching it does not get the full pictures about the events during the period. Expand
10 of 19 users found this helpful109
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0
mikaFeb 9, 2012
This movie is superficial, shallow, boring and and untrue. Every civil war is tragic with a lot of suffering and if somebody is making a movie first one supposes to learn real facts. AJ made one sided view with lack of understanding whatThis movie is superficial, shallow, boring and and untrue. Every civil war is tragic with a lot of suffering and if somebody is making a movie first one supposes to learn real facts. AJ made one sided view with lack of understanding what really happened and history in this region- cheap Muslim propaganda with insulting Serbian people and Serbian victims. To bad for somebody who calls herself "humanitarian". Expand
7 of 14 users found this helpful77
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0
OstyxJan 26, 2012
Utter tripe, people. Very one sided, cheap, gritty and violent. Shows none respect to the victims of the other side, instead the Serbs are shown as penultimate badguys.
7 of 14 users found this helpful77
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7
FaceTheSlayerFeb 28, 2012
Ignore all the negative user reviews, most of them are made by ultra nationalists Serbs that are full of hate. This movie realistically pictures war crimes done by Serbs in Bosnian war. THESE CRIMES HAPPENED and whoever denies that is noIgnore all the negative user reviews, most of them are made by ultra nationalists Serbs that are full of hate. This movie realistically pictures war crimes done by Serbs in Bosnian war. THESE CRIMES HAPPENED and whoever denies that is no better than people who deny holocaust. Sure directing could be better but this is Angie's first movie and she did a great job for a first one. As someone who lived on Bosnia during the war (and I still live here) I am surprised with level of Realistic details that are put together in this film. Thank you Angie for caring. A solid 7. Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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7
DTDunnJun 2, 2012
For all the nimrods on here giving this film a 0 or 1 for apparent political reasons, it is not a damn documentary. This is a very watchable film. It is long, but holds your interest. This comes from a viewer that is not a fan of foreignFor all the nimrods on here giving this film a 0 or 1 for apparent political reasons, it is not a damn documentary. This is a very watchable film. It is long, but holds your interest. This comes from a viewer that is not a fan of foreign films, simply because I grow tired of reading. Anyway, please refrain from downgrading a film to make some sort of misplaced political comment. Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
DrurschullaSep 24, 2013
I was personally really touched by Angelina's movie, and to me the first 30 minutes of the movie seemed dense and intense. After the first 30 minutes the movie becomes a little tenacious. I understand that some people acuse Angelina to beI was personally really touched by Angelina's movie, and to me the first 30 minutes of the movie seemed dense and intense. After the first 30 minutes the movie becomes a little tenacious. I understand that some people acuse Angelina to be biased for the benefit of the muslims, but she tried showing both sides. Perhaps it was her intention to emphasize the sorrow of the muslims especially the women's. This is also a point I really like about the movie, that it focuses on women. In some reviews it sais that the violence scenes in the movie are too intense. I do not doubt that the real occurence was less violent, it could have been even worse, so don't blame Angelina for beeing realistic at least in this point. Overmore I don't think someone would have ever complained about that if she wasn't an feminin actress.
Now comes a point that I missed in her movie: although the movie starts from a womens perspective, the main character seems to be Danijel. The spectator has much more chances to identificate himself with him, because he expresses his feelings and the spectator can observe his development. There are many situations in the movie, were I expected Ajla to express her feelings and to tell the spectator her view of the things. But she remains somekind of unaltered throughout the movie. This is a pitty, as Angelina had the chance to show a woman, who really sufferd, not only as a victim but also as a person that still has the freedom to cope with her situation.
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1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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0
NekaTamoJul 5, 2016
hahahahah This film is full of **** acting is great,but,film was a disaster.It was really hard to watch.Serbs are bad guys and Muslims are good.It has only one point of view.I don´t recomend this movie.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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0
kruskaJan 28, 2012
Poor Angelina, been blind for the rape, blood on streets in her own neighborhood, homelessness, poverty , racism, helpless to do anything for her own kind, she goes to a far away country she knows nothing about, to talk about theirPoor Angelina, been blind for the rape, blood on streets in her own neighborhood, homelessness, poverty , racism, helpless to do anything for her own kind, she goes to a far away country she knows nothing about, to talk about their story.Story she can't understand, less make a movie about. Thus is not surprising that pictures in the movie can't bring anything but brutality, which are not even shocking. To make great movie you have to have some abilities to be intellectual, educated, wise, mature and she has nothing of that. She is not even a Lady, less close to Lady D , she hopes to be. Balkan people are what they are , be muslim, catholic, orthodox Christians they are the same - in way how they love , hate , relate to each other. They share the very same genes, blood, names , language and history and they will continue to have hate and love relationships forever, no matter what other people think . Expand
8 of 17 users found this helpful89
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0
darkoFeb 12, 2012
this movie is bunch of lies and wrong interpretation of bosnian civil war .bosnian muslims talks about 100000 raped women and 200000 killed , it s not true , and serbs are not only bad guys....
6 of 13 users found this helpful67
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3
CanuckmanFeb 24, 2012
Sadly, a very predictable and simplistic film which could have been much more. No surprise the Academy has ignored it. Simple in that all Serbs are "bad" and all Muslims are "victims". Nothing could be further from the truth. That error endsSadly, a very predictable and simplistic film which could have been much more. No surprise the Academy has ignored it. Simple in that all Serbs are "bad" and all Muslims are "victims". Nothing could be further from the truth. That error ends up diluting this film to one of entertainment with no historical context or perspective. Too bad. The fact is that barbarity was endemic on all sides. Especially amongst the Croats who murdered and raped with the best of them. the Bosnians were no different. Expand
4 of 9 users found this helpful45
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9
JasmineDec 29, 2011
This movie is intelligent, strongly executed, well-crafted, intense, graphic, and compelling. It is one of the best movies of the year. Jolie did an excellent job for a first time director. I will write a more detailed review later. She wasThis movie is intelligent, strongly executed, well-crafted, intense, graphic, and compelling. It is one of the best movies of the year. Jolie did an excellent job for a first time director. I will write a more detailed review later. She was brave for tackling this controversial subject. It is from the victim's point of view and should be viewed circumstantially instead of taking any sides politically or religiously. Zana Marjanovic gives an Oscar-worthy performance. It was so heartbreaking. I was horrified, moved, saddened, and even enlightened at times. It was such a powerful and thought-provoking experience. God bless those people affected by the Bosnian War. It also sheds a light on rape was used as weapon in war. It shines a light on atrocities and brings awareness. I decided to contribute to relief efforts in Bosnia and Yugoslavia after watching this film. This is a fine achievement and should be critically acclaimed especially when compared to fluff like The Artist which got high reviews and is incosequential in comparison. This is the type of movie that could have done well at Cannes. It is a shame she has to overcome media corruption, personal misconceptions, and slander. The nasty comments on Rottentomatoes was really upsetting. Plenty of users gave excellent reviews but the site is just displaying two inflammatory post from her haters who believe lies about her and those type of comments shouldn't even be allowed. You could tell some people were just flaming her and have not seen the film. She is NOT a homewrecker and that bs shouldn't even brought into discussion of the movie anyway. No other actress has to deal with that. That lawsuit had no legitimacy and was based on a false, far-fetched claim
but now you have Fanistons bombarding Rottentomatoes & other sites with ugly attacks that have no basis in truth. Those inflammatory comments should not be allowed on that site. I also want to make note of the fact that Peter Travers review for Rolling Stone was labeled positive here but gotten a rotten rating on the tomatometer. He or the other site needs to fix that. The Salon review was also positive here and labeled rotten on the tomatometer. There is a discrepancy. The rottentomatoes site needs to fix this asap! I really hope by 2012, the ratings will be higher, at around 60% on both sites.
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6 of 14 users found this helpful68
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10
veljoFeb 12, 2012
Excellent movie, great cast, true story abut bloody aggression on Bosnia; some people can't stand a truth and would greatly dislike this movie, which should not be any proof on quality of the movie itself. Worth of viewing.
4 of 10 users found this helpful46
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10
EL-ShabyFeb 19, 2012
I just looked at Angelina's film "In the Land of Blood and Honey" and I can say that the movie is fantastic. Well done Angie, you said everything the way it is ... The international community did nothing to stop genocide and ethnic cleansing,I just looked at Angelina's film "In the Land of Blood and Honey" and I can say that the movie is fantastic. Well done Angie, you said everything the way it is ... The international community did nothing to stop genocide and ethnic cleansing, about how the war started, not to mention ... smart and educated people know the truth. As for the rape scene, I was frankly a lot of throwing up babies from six months through the window because she was crying ... The film should look at all those who have passed the war, and especially those who speak of him and discussed, and it did not feel any trace. Congratulations to Angie debut on my behalf and on behalf of all my citizens of Sarajevo! "Unlike a number of smart, who will speak to these days or you do not need to go see a movie, I'll tell you - look at their eyes, hear with their ears. If you do not know whether it was indeed shown that - I'll tell you, the first person singular, is - everything I saw and experienced his eyes. to you to accept the truth or to entertain false hopes that we do not live in the land of blood and honey ... it hurts, tough, arduous and at times nauseating movie . But even we were on holiday from 92-95. However, some are. and they especially do not recommend the movie because they will be increased pressure and will say - peace, peace, no one to blame. Until next time .... " Expand
3 of 8 users found this helpful35
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10
codfather96Dec 23, 2011
I shows the war for what it was and glosses over nothing, the cast are fantastic and for a first directorial debut Jolie has done a fantastic job. Sure the love story does get a bit bogged down within the torture being shown but the war isI shows the war for what it was and glosses over nothing, the cast are fantastic and for a first directorial debut Jolie has done a fantastic job. Sure the love story does get a bit bogged down within the torture being shown but the war is more than a backdrop for the movie, it is its own character. Expand
7 of 19 users found this helpful712
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10
NinaCDec 25, 2011
A startling, engrossing, unflinching war drama that is well executed and well acted. If you didn't know who was behind it you'd never guess that it was by a first time director. It can stand alongside other war dramas like The Pianist.
5 of 14 users found this helpful59
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10
adnanKFeb 17, 2012
It shows the war for what it was and glosses over nothing, the cast are fantastic and for a first directorial debut Jolie has done a fantastic job. Sure the love story does get a bit bogged down within the torture being shown but the war isIt shows the war for what it was and glosses over nothing, the cast are fantastic and for a first directorial debut Jolie has done a fantastic job. Sure the love story does get a bit bogged down within the torture being shown but the war is more than a backdrop for the movie, it is its own character. Expand
2 of 6 users found this helpful24
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8
mschoaFeb 21, 2012
I think the background of the story is something well-informed people should be aware of. This was another Holocaust, although of a smaller scale. I love the fact that Angelina Jolie chose such a serious topic for her directorial and writingI think the background of the story is something well-informed people should be aware of. This was another Holocaust, although of a smaller scale. I love the fact that Angelina Jolie chose such a serious topic for her directorial and writing efforts. Kudos to her. Expand
2 of 6 users found this helpful24
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4
TaplingerMay 11, 2012
Shame, shame, Andrew O'Hehir of Salon.com for rating this film with an "80." You should know better. The script is terrible - it's so bad that all the good things about the movie are irrelevant.
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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1
ThegodfathersonMar 28, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Anglelina Jolie has absolutely no taste in directing a film, no taste. In the land of Blood and Honey is awful, it's script has very little violent story bits to deliver along with violence and depicted war in a romantic setting. The film points in weird direction in its 50 minutes but then tries to fix itself in the climax but doesn't succeed. The climax is very, very hairy when they show disgusting grisly images! I mean is this supposed to be a violent war film or romantic film! Make us understand Ms. Jolie! The climax is not sad but the film makes it terribly sad. In the middle of the movie there are several sexual scenes that are supposed to be in the film? So far we have got Romance, War, Bloody Violent War and sexy stuff. Must Be Kidding. This is a one for my review because the movie was a clichefest but only, only the acting was good. Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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0
Luka0101998Sep 21, 2016
THE MOVIE IS A LIE.
ANGELINA JOLIE,YOU ARE A CLUELESS ****
Study history first you racist! You have no f****** idea how Serbs lived back then! We were victims of political power of Clinton! Serbs were always on the right side,they have
THE MOVIE IS A LIE.
ANGELINA JOLIE,YOU ARE A CLUELESS ****
Study history first you racist!
You have no f****** idea how Serbs lived back then!
We were victims of political power of Clinton!
Serbs were always on the right side,they have never been murderers!
You said you wont come to Serbia and you better not `cause that won`t end well for you!
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1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
MarkovicJan 28, 2012
Angelina chose the wrong direction to be 'madeâ
3 of 10 users found this helpful37
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5
marshallvMay 9, 2018
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Land of Blood and Honey is quite a controversial film because while it nails the brutality right on the head, the plot is very shaky. A Serbian officer who is the son of the General of the Serbians, Danjiel, goes on a date with Aija, a bosnian woman and they have a very close but confusing relationship for the rest of the movie. I should also mention, that this whole Bosnian movie is in english. This movie necessarily doesn’t get the history wrong, it just isn’t a great story.
As I said, the movie starts with their date and in the middle of them dancing, the building blows up and they end up getting lost without each other. Aija goes home and later is taken by Serbian soldiers to a camp where we see one of the most brutal parts of the movie. It’s a good scene but it’s very hard to watch as we had to turn off the volume. A serbian soldier is trying to find a doctor and this woman says she can sew, then he asks her if he can f***. Then we watch a very brutal rape scene. They don’t hide a lot and the girl actor does a great job. It’s hard to watch but it gets the point across. Shortly after that scene, Aija gets grabbed and bent over about to be raped as well. Danjiel steps in just to keep her safe. It’s argued that this scene isn’t realistic because on the screen, it doesn’t show her being raped. But it’s argued that if he wouldn’t have, in real life, he probably would’ve been killed or worse. Especially since he’s under the pressure of his father the whole movie. This is where the romantic dynamic enters and when they start stretching some things. She is living in the warehouse at first but Danjiel comes and gets her several nights so he can talk to her and they make love one of the nights. It shows what life is like through the camp and the side stories. The story is about a love story but they’re from two different words. I’m gonna go ahead and spoil the ending but Aija gives away Danjiel’s location so they ended up getting bombed but he survives. I don’t understand her choice but maybe that’s why this movie is so historically accurate. The whole movie, he’s trying to keep her safe and he’s also doing his best to keep himself safe as well. Then she just stabs him in the back and that feels super sketchy. He shoots her in the head and it was meant to be a emotional moment but their relationship feels super forced because it was written like that. They only see eachother, like a total of 10 times, they have sex a couple times, then she betrays him and he shoots her in the head. It’s a compelling story if you get over all the subplots. I think the rest of the movie, like when Danjiel is away from her or when she is off by herself is very distracting. It touches on the war and does it justice but also distracts you from the romantic part and makes it less compelling. When they are together, it seems genuine but they seem very flip flop as well. You often catch him yelling at her for no reason but there’s also parts where it seems like he can’t get enough of her. I think the central theme around this movie is that everything is complicated. Our Bosnian American Studies teacher Mr. Jennings told us on day one that the war and everything else is complicated. I think one of the best parts of the movies is choosing between the women he loves and his father. In the end after he kills her, he basically sacrifices himself to the UN and it shows how mentally broken he is after having to kill this woman he loves. I think one of the most noteworthy qualities about this movie is the brutality. This movie is forsure not for children of any kind. I already mentioned the rape scene but that’s just one of them out of the several that are in this movie. There’s a point where a baby gets thrown out the window, you see a line of Bosnians getting shot into a mass grave and even the blood and effects they use seem very real. It’s a very gritty war flick but they try to add romance and I found myself questioning what this movie was. While this movie had some redeeming qualities, I don’t think it changes the fact that this movie doesn’t know what it is and is quite graphic to watch. The brutal scenes of rape and murder plague this movie and it also tries to combine a romance with a war drama. It overall doesn’t turn out too well but it has some redeeming qualities such as the acting and the relationship between Aija and Danjiel is pretty good as well. I thought it was an alright movie about the tragedy of the Bosnian War.
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0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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2
AdemirKovMay 9, 2018
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. “In the Land of Blood and Honey” is a film directed by Angelina Jolie taking place in Bosnia during the war. It’s about a Bosnian-Serb soldier named Danijel who is fighting for the Serb army, re-encountering Ajla, a Bosnian who is now captive in a camp he looks over. The once loving couple are now at a cross, as their motives and beliefs have changed since their situations. As a Bosnian, This film is absolutely horrible. It lacks realism in the sense that a Bosnian-Muslim woman would never fall in love with a Serbian soldier who pillaged and destroyed her way of life. The same goes vice-versa for Danijel. A Serb soldier who is full of propaganda and Serbian nationalism would never love a Bosnian-Muslim girl. If anything, he’d just see her as an object. Maybe even less. Ajla is also taken as a prisoner and stuck under supervision of Danijel. This is also a very flawed idea as Bosnian-Muslim women in those camps were stuck in tight spaces and used for rape. They were never protected by anyone especially their captors, Serb soldiers. The film captures a small stint of realism in how it portrayed the brutality of the Serbs. Such as a soldier barging in the apartment and throwing the baby off a balcony just because he could is indeed something the Serbs did to young Bosnian-Muslim children. Another accurate portrayal is when the Serb soldier bends the girl over and rapes her in front of everyone to humiliate her and get a kick out of it. These small acts of brutality is the only thing this film has done regarding historical accuracy, Anything other than that, is just BS hollywood writing.
All around, “In the Land of Blood and Honey” is not a accurate, nor is it an entertaining film. I understand if the point of this was to appeal to western audiences. However, I’d rather use actual true stories from people who lived the war and use accurate information from them rather than idiotic, inaccurate Hollywood nonsense. Just because a film has a decent budget doesn’t mean it’s good. If there was anyone who’d ever want to know actual historical and accurate knowledge about the war in Bosnia through film, I’d strongly recommend “No Man’s Land” and “Cirkus Columbia.” These films are written and directed by people who have lived through the conflict and accurately portray what really happened in the country.
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0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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