Le Chemin de Halima

Halima's Path tackles the subject of the Balkan War, venturing much further than a simple retelling of events. Set in Bosnia, the story unfolds through the masterful use of flashback. Beginning in pre-conflict, multi-ethnic Yugoslavia the film culminates in present-day Bosnia with the tragic repercussions of the war. Halima's seemingly straightforward quest to have the remains of her husband and son identified from those found in a mass grave exposes a richly woven tapestry of events--a tapestry which reveals the very human side of war.

The film is brilliantly directed by Arsen A. Ostojic, with excellent performances delivered by a stellar cast. Particularly powerful are Alma Prica in the role of Halima and Olga Pakalovic as Safija. The evocative score adds to the authenticity of the film.

Halima's Path offers a novel look into the personal tragedy of war. This supremely moving film delivers a true emotional punch--be prepared to shed more than a few tears. A true masterpiece.

This is a well made film given what must have been a limited budget and resources. It shows the impact of a war that destroyed countless lives in order to satisfy differing religious beliefs, and ethnicity.

This movie awakens emotion and no matter how hard you try as a strong male not to cry, a few times in this movie that's just not easy. I suggest that women bring to the cinema enough Kleenex.

Excellently acted, well photographed. Excellent film.

The film's director, whose two previous films (A Wonderful Night in Split and No one's son) were great to me, did an excellent job, and I think that movie audiences will love this movie.

Minor objections that some might object to the film's authenticity. It's nonsense like: why they in the woods gives the blinker when hillbillies are not using blinker in the city.

Regardless of these little things that will be noticed just during second or third viewing of the film this movie is probably the best Croatian film in recent years.

If You don't want to cry skip this movie - it is very good and really deeply touches basic human conflicts that are so common on Balcans, but also universal. It was so difficult to me to explain to a foreigner (I am Serbian grew up in Slovenia during Yugoslavia) what was really going on during the war in Bosnia, Croatia... In short words it is inexplicable. The movie is a really good explanation what is going on during the centuries: how deeply people actually are connected to each other, but in many periods they try to behave as they are not et all. Actors are great and connection to reality is all the time alive. But specially I like dedication of this movie to a woman, who is a special victim in Balcans wars. I felt Halima's story is a very strong symbol for all mothers who pass all kinds of experiences to get a child and rise it - just to lose it for stupid wars, again and again and again...

I watched Halimin Put last night and I can only congratulate Arsen Ostojić on the magnificent job he did by directing this feature film; as one says in Croatian, svaka čast majstore! I always enjoy watching films from the Balkans because of the actors' fascinating acting. Indeed, they act in such a natural way that we have the feeling to be also part of the film and experience the actors' feelings.

Beyond the tensions and cultural differences that may exist between Christians and Muslims, I really appreciated that Mr. Ostojić dealt with the psychological trauma suffered by people involved (both actively and passively) in a war. We mostly tend to forget that even if a war is over, it actually never ends for those who experienced it as this a hellish moment of life they cannot easily get over. I think the biggest strength of the film lies in the perfect depiction - through the behaviours of the characters - of the psychological ravages each person experiencing war has to cope with once the nightmare ends ; at least this is what made a lasting impression on me.

I am no film critic, but I was eager to submit my review on this title as it has been quite a while now since I last watched a film of such high quality. There is of course still very much to say about the other very interesting aspects of the film, but professional film critics will do it better than I ever will.

Keep up the good work, Mr. Ostojić! :-)