Watch As If I Am Not There

As If I Am Not There is a powerful and poignant film that tells the story of a young woman named Samira who finds herself caught in the middle of the Bosnian War. The film, which is based on the novel of the same name by Slavenka Drakulic, was directed by Juanita Wilson and stars Natasha Petrovic in the lead role. The film begins with Samira, a young teacher, leaving her home in the city to take a teaching job in a small village in Bosnia. Shortly after her arrival, the war breaks out and fighting engulfs the village. Samira is forced to watch as her friends and neighbors are killed, her home is burned to the ground, and she is taken prisoner by Serb soldiers.

The film is a brutal and unflinching portrayal of the Bosnian War and the atrocities committed during it. The violence and brutality are never glamorized or sensationalized; instead, they are depicted in an unvarnished and matter-of-fact manner that makes them all the more horrifying.

Despite the horror and trauma of the war, the film is also a testament to the human spirit and the strength of the human will to survive. Samira is a remarkable character, brave and defiant even in the face of unimaginable horror. Her struggle to retain her humanity and her dignity in the midst of the dehumanizing violence of war is both inspiring and heart-wrenching.

In addition to Petrovic's outstanding performance as Samira, the film is also notable for its supporting cast. Fedja Stukan, who plays Aleksander, the soldier who takes Samira prisoner, delivers a nuanced and complex portrayal of a man who is both brutal and sympathetic. Jelena Jovanova is also excellent in the role of Samira's friend and fellow prisoner, who provides a source of emotional support and solidarity in the face of the soldiers' brutality.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is its visual style. The cinematography, by Tim Fleming, is stark and spare, with a muted color palette that gives the film a sense of visual austerity. The use of natural light and handheld camera work creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy that draws the audience into Samira's world and makes her experiences feel all the more real and visceral.

Overall, As If I Am Not There is a powerful and important film that offers an unflinching look at the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a film that demands to be seen, not just as a work of art, but as a reminder of the atrocities that human beings are capable of committing and the strength and courage that it takes to survive them.

As If I Am Not There is a 2010 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.