As If I Am Not There

This film, although often difficult to watch, is an unflinching look at ethnic internment during the Bosnian War. There is little dialogue, and the film's message is conveyed through a variety of techniques, the first of which is lighting. Before the war, Samira (the main character) is framed with natural light, soft tones, and sunlit backgrounds. After her capture and subsequent internment, the lighting becomes stark and harsh. The main actress, Natacha Petrovic, is also able to convey Samira's thoughts and feelings through her carefully calculated facial expressions. The lack of dialogue allows the viewer to interpret much of the story, and also avoids contrived/overstated dialogue. The director is not Bosnia, but she seems to be intuitive and sensitive in presenting the material so that it does not feel exploitative. She also does not explicitly mention which ethnic group in interned and which group is interning (as it were), which is an excellent choice in that it allows for a wider variety of experiences to be represented. Although it is hinted that this specific film focuses on Bosnian Muslims being interned by Serbs, there is some wiggle room for other groups to be included as well.

A poignant haunting look at the Bosnian War and the atrocities committed. The film focuses on a young Bosniak girl who winds up at a Serbian War Camp. From here a story of the worst of humanity and the strength that lies within people to endure unspeakable hardship unfolds. The actress who plays the lead character Samira gives one of the best performances I have ever seen on film and says more with her eyes than other actress can say with pages of dialogue. The director does a phenomenal job of capturing the horror or war and more importantly does not use sensationalist tactics to solicit emotional responses from the audience. The story itself and the performances from the actors are powerful enough where they can stand alone.

A film that will likely fly under the radar - but an important one to see; as it acknowledges one of the saddest moments in recent history.

I cannot explain my discomfort in watching this film. It is most definitely not for the faint of heart. However, it delves into a topic that is so important and yet so ignored. Throughout the film there is very little dialogue, the majority of the story is told through the face of the talented and powerful protagonist. The plot of the film is bleak and painful, but provides a real sense of the hell which hundreds of Bosniak women experienced during their internment in the Bosnian War. This film does not shy away from the torture and abuse the women faced, but it shows their strength in maintaining any dignity they could through the gruesome process. I think the director handled the topic with grace and created a movie that is both haunting and substantial, but I do wish that the film would have shown the struggles of Serb and Croat women who were also assaulted in large numbers during this time.

The hatred towards the "enemy", and the brutal behavior of men. The instincts that take the wheel in times of war are the canvas for the film's story.

Propaganda, one-sided, presents the Serbs as monsters, normal for an American film, since the USA destroyed Serbia by participating in this conflict, as in most cases, without having any right. Good movie, but its purpose is to falsify the truth. Like the novel it was based on.

Hollywood has not been honest in any of the films that refer to this particular war. The answer is simple, it couldn't be, war crimes were also committed by the USA.

History is written properly, when time has passed. But it is always written with the ink preferred by the winners.

Just go to this film blindly and you will be shocked how good it is and it's truly a masterpiece. Realistic depiction of War and how it is effected the life of this innocent girl and they way she handle the circumstances , I can't say much about it . Please watch and support this film.