April 16

Very little this week and almost certainly no rentals.

Esma`s Secret (Grbavica) (2006) - Dir by Jasmila Zbanic

Description:

Set in Sarajevo, ESMAS SECRET tells the moving story of a mother struggling to provide for her 12-year-old daughter in the wake of the civil war. As a matter of pride, Esma refuses to cash in on her husbands war hero status--which would allow her daughter a discount on an upcoming school trip--preferring instead to raise the money herself. 

My opinion

Well performed mother/daughter drama that brings up the painful realities and after effects of war, the Balkan war in this case. Worst aspect has to be the title, you will almost certainly have the secret worked out within the first 10 minutes, the original title which is a town name is far more poignant to the story. 

It's hard to believe that in the 21st Century when we believe we are so advanced that we would still be faced with issues as primitive and basic as the brutality, hatred and criminality of war and all it entails. The film is extremely moving in parts, it's just a shame that the ending felt kind of rushed. 

Recommended.

Released by Dogwoof Pictures.

Moscow Elegy (Moskovskaya elegiya) (1987) - Dir by Aleksandr Sokurov 

Description:

Youve gotta love this description - Fitting in with the elegiac mood of the Elegy series, the programme explores the work of this great filmmaker and its context of history.

Good to see more Sokurov releases, I wonder if they'll cover the series of Elegies

Released by Quantum Leap

Cheers Trev.