Klopka

wow! just watched "the trap" or "klopka" which is the Serbian title for this film & i hope that it is eligible for next year's academy award for foreign language category. i was riveted from beginning to end by the story which really makes you think of the value of human life & what we are all worth in this world. at one point a character even mentions 911 & the way in which the u.s. government placed different monetary values on people depending on how much money the made when they were alive & working. the acting is superb throughout from the mother & father to the kid who is the main character of the story. this is definitely a movie for people who like to think & feel real human emotion; and not for anyone looking for car chases & mindless entertainment. please see this great film.

While on line for a film on the opening day (yesterday) of the 2008 Palm Springs International Film Festival, a woman (former film professor) I knew from the previous year's Festival, raved about seeing "The Trap."

This morning I saw "The Trap" and was overwhelmed by it. Without question the most riveting film I have EVER seen. The director has perfect pitch: the story, direction, acting, photography, music are truly perfect. It's a tense thriller which addresses many moral questions. In many ways it reminds me of last year's "The Lives of Others." If you liked that movie, this one should definitely be on your must-see list.

The audience was stunned at the end of the film and after a flurry of applause, sat silently throughout the end credits.

I gave mark 10/10 to this movie. Maybe the reason is that, lately, since "Sideways" actually, I haven't seen any movie that would touch me at all. And I watch a lot of movies. This one provoked tears many times, it's overwhelming on so easy, non-pretentious way.

Let's back to the subject. The story is very true, complex, convincing. Acting brilliant. Although the movie is a bit slow, it attracts like a magnet, so you can not keep an eye out of it. There are maybe some strange coincidences, but they do not spoil anything. Sunspense and thriller is present all the time.

It raises many questions: "What would I do if I were him", "What is the limit of my love to my child"... Great psychological dilemma, makes you think all the time. It is true European movie, with some American influence, but only on a good way. If you like, at least for a moment, to escape from Hollywood crap, I recommend this movie 100%.

Another exhibition, that you don't need big bucks or have to shoot your movie in another country, if yours isn't financially wealthy ... Klopka (The Trap as it is called internationally) is a fine example of good Serbian cinema.

If the definition of "film noir" is indeed "low-key lighting, a bleak urban setting, and corrupt, cynical characters" (as indicated in an urban dictionary), than this hits the mark! (maybe the cynical part isn't exactly on the spot or let's say Bogart-like, but other than that, you got yourself a winner here). The good thing about this description is, that this should be enough for you to judge, if you want to see the movie or not! :o)

This is yet,another tale of parental love & what they will do for the lives of their children. A 30 something couple finds out that their young son is suffering from a heart condition, and the only place that they can bring him for the surgery that can save his life is in Germany. The hitch:the price tag (we're talking thousands & thousands of Euros). The Mother puts an advert in the local newspaper that they need money for the operation. The hope comes in the form of a stranger who will give them the thirty thousand Euros they need,but with a price. The father must assassinate somebody. What follows is a taut, intense morality play with a twist. This is European film making at it's best. No MPAA rating here, but serves up lots of foul language & some violence (although nothing too gory for those with weak stomachs)