A View from the Balkans

Rating: Null/10 (19 February 2002)

I have been working in the Balkans since 1997 and thus I have more than a casual interest in the films that have been produced depicting the conflict here. I have seen most of the films on this topic, with the important exception of "Saverseni Krug" (The Perfect Circle), and "No-Man's Land" is, in my opinion, by far the most accurate depiction of the important elements of that conflict.
There have been thousands of movies about war and, in that narrow context, "No-Man's Land" is certainly not unique or particularly brilliant. However, the wars in the Balkans are themselves unique in that they are the first of what I call the "Managed Mini-Wars," overseen by the civilized world in an attempt to keep things from getting out of hand.
Where "No-Man's Land" really excels is in the picture it gives us of modern "Peacekeeping." More than any picture on this subject, it gives us an accurate and disturbing view of this noble concept, warts and all.
In this low budget microcosm of the Balkan conflict we are exposed to all the central issues of the larger phenomenon. We are treated to ethnic hatred and human camaraderie; well-intended altruism and naked hypocrisy; the vigorous "search for the truth" and casual indifference when it is found.
I recommend this film to anyone who is even vaguely interested in "what's really going on over there." It will certainly not answer all your questions, but it may help you understand why the situation is so difficult to fathom.