Le Chemin de Halima

Bosnia is hardly known for its film industry, overshadowed by the last two decades of war. As a lover of foreign films, I must admit that I don't suppose I've even heard the language spoken before in a film, or was aware of movies being made in Bosnia and Yugoslavia. This one really won me over with its cinema verite style, shot on actual 16mm film. It's really refreshing when you see how someone can tell such a compelling story that's so simplistic - the story of a mother in search of her family. There's an air of authenticity in everything here - from the real locations, to the actors who lived through this very divisive conflict in their history. It's truly amazing - almost feels like a realist novel unfolding on screen, as you quickly forget that you're watching a movie.

I have just saw the movie,it's really one of best that come from the Balkans,the story is centered in west Bosnia,the most actors and actress are Bosnians,but it's directed and produced by Croatians(west neighbors)

The story is about 2-3 families in a small village,telling how they lived before the war,showing us the differences in two religious families(Serbs and Bosnian Muslims)but also showing us that they have the same mentality.

Slavomir(Serb) and Safija(Bosnian Muslim) fell in love and she gets pregnant and that can't accept their families. That's why Safija runs to aunt Halima and the new born child gives to her telling the family that the child was dead born. 2 years later Slavomir comes from Germany and meets Safija,they both flee to a far places and begun a new life. But war comes ,Slavomir is recruited to the Serbian army.....many things happens during the war that will leave aftermath to both families.

The rest(and the most) of the movie continues after 5 years at the end of war,Halima is searching for the bones of 'son' Mirza,and Slavomir is melancholy drinking every day at the tavern,Safija is living with Slavomir and they 3 children....

What are they secrets and what will be with them at the end ?

I don't want tell that,watch the movie, it's really a masterpiece,one of the best movies i ever saw.Thanks to our west neighbors for this story and i want to wish you good luck ,i hope this movie will get some awards on international movie competitions. 10/10

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! :-)

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...

Because of the outstanding performance of the film's creators, I lived a period of time in Bosnia, a simple and beautiful life despite the tragedies until the end of the badge.