El círculo perfecto

This could have been a very depressive movie depicting the pointlessness, destruction and despair of war. In a war torn, besieged Sarajevo, society disintegrates, people's lives are shattered and normalcy becomes a dream.

Instead this film is an elegy to humanity that manages to beat the odds and survive through acts of love and compassion. Of course, there are many films like that, but in this one, the director manages, shorty after the end of the war, while the wounds are still fresh, to avoid to focus on any political or ethnical issues and is concentrating on the human factor and this is what makes this film so powerful. People, all sorts of people are trapped in the hell that is Sarajevo, friends and enemies alike.

The plight of the innocents to survive, each hour, each day and night, escaping random and senseless indiscriminate dying is heart rending, but there is hope expressed by the two children and contrasted strongly with the despair of the poet, that cannot find a solace in his art: "who cares about art now?", he wonders. Or "how can nightmares be worse than what we are living through now?".

Very good acting from the main characters, especially from the children, fine directing and haunting photography of a ruined Sarajevo. A must see!

It's a slightly dramatized documentary, really. It's one of the tens of thousands of similar stories occured during '92-'96.

Shot right after the end of the longest siege on a capital in modern war history, which has become one of the best-known symbols of a large scale ethnic cleansing campaign, it doesn't need any decorations. What you see is what those people suffered through for 4 years, while the "big powers" of Europe, the ultimate defenders of human rights, have just watched the atrocity taking place right in the heart of the continent.

Finished watching this fabulous movie few minutes ago. I'll try to summarize my view as short as I can. This movie shows war as it is; mindless decisions of those who started it, poor people struggling to survive and find better future, orphans problems, war criminal etc., and how it affects on society (family!) and individuals (suicides). Mustafa Nadarevic did a great role in movie, by making enormous efforts (greater than he gave to his own family) to give two orphans chance to survive and at last, better future. Even he haves drinking problems, he can abstain himself not doing wrong decisions and think reasonably. He deserved more prizes for his characteristic style and honest acting.

Almedin Leleta and his movie brother Almir Podgorica, 10 and 13 years old when movie was first shown, also empathized their orphans roles and shown great talent. Sincerely, I can only recommend you this movie, particularly if you are from war affected country.

Saw the movie in Sarajevo when it first came out. Bosnian Language. Did not have to know the language to totally enjoy this movie. The movie is a sad commentary of what occurred in Bosnia during the previous Bush administration. Very realistic, acting superb.

War torn Sarajevo and life turns into a game as you play dodge the bullets. Hamza, (Mustafa Nadarevic), is a poet with visions of his own death by hanging, a way to escape the misery that surrounds him. Until one night he stumbles upon two orphans who put a hold on his misery as he attempts to get them out of hell. War is ugly but those who suffer are the ones with a will for peace and harmony.