Watch Easy Land

Easy Land is a 2019 Canadian drama film directed by Sanja Zivkovic, starring Nina Kiri, Mirjana Jokovic, and Arlene Duncan. It tells the story of a mother and daughter, who are refugees from the Balkan war, and their struggles to adapt to a new life in Canada. Jasna (Nina Kiri) is a teenager who loves to draw and is obsessed with the idea of becoming a fashion designer. Her mother, Ivanna (Mirjana Jokovic), is a former university professor who is struggling to cope with the trauma of war and her new life as a cleaning lady. They live in a tiny, run-down apartment in the working-class neighborhood of Rexdale in Toronto, where Ivanna works long hours and Jasna spends most of her time drawing and dreaming about a better future.

Despite the language barrier and cultural differences, Jasna is doing well in school and has made some new friends, including an aspiring musician named Elvis (Jasmin Geljo). Ivanna, on the other hand, is struggling to adjust to her new life and is haunted by memories of the war and the loss of her husband. She is also suspicious of Jasna's new friends and worried that they might lead her down the wrong path.

As the film progresses, Jasna and Ivanna's relationship becomes increasingly strained, as Jasna rebels against her mother's strict rules and Ivanna becomes increasingly paranoid and overprotective. They also confront various challenges and obstacles, including financial problems, bureaucratic red tape, and racism.

One of the film's most memorable scenes is when Ivanna takes Jasna to a Serbian Orthodox church, where they meet with a priest who tries to convince them to return to their homeland. Ivanna is torn between her longing for her old life and her fear of what might await them if they return. Jasna, who has no memories of the war, is equally torn and struggles to reconcile her love for her mother with her own dreams and ambitions.

Throughout the film, there are also several flashbacks to Ivanna's experiences during the war, including a harrowing scene in which she is trapped in a basement with other women and children while bombs rain down on their city. These scenes lend a sense of urgency and authenticity to the film, and help to explain Ivanna's trauma and reluctance to embrace her new life.

Overall, Easy Land is a touching and thought-provoking film about the immigrant experience and the struggles of adapting to a new culture. The performances by Nina Kiri and Mirjana Jokovic are both superb, and the film's themes of displacement, identity, and trauma are handled with sensitivity and nuance. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Canadian cinema, immigrant narratives, or human stories of resilience and perseverance.

In conclusion, Easy Land is a powerful and moving film that deserves to be seen by a wide audience. It's a timely reminder of the challenges faced by immigrants and refugees, and a testament to the power of art and creativity to heal and inspire.

Easy Land is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.