Watch Halima's Path

Halima's Path (Halimin put) is a 2012 Croatian drama film directed by Arsen Anton Ostojic. Set in the aftermath of the Bosnian War, it tells the story of a grieving mother's search for her son's remains, which proves to be an emotional and challenging journey. The film opens with a scene from the beginning of the war in 1992, where Halima (played by Alma Prica) is seen frantically searching for her son Amar (played by Olga Pakalovic) in a crowd of refugees trying to board a bus out of the city. The chaos and confusion of the war means that Halima and Amar are separated, and Halima eventually believes that her son has died during the conflict.

Fast forward ten years, and Halima is still grieving for her son. She is visited one day by a Serbian soldier called Milan (played by Mijo Jurisic), who admits to her that he knows where Amar's remains are buried. Milan is suffering from PTSD and wants to make amends for his actions during the war by helping Halima find closure. However, he does not know the exact location of the grave, and Halima must undertake a dangerous journey to find it.

Accompanied by her granddaughter and a young Serbian man, Halima sets out on a mission to locate the grave. Along the way, they encounter people from both sides of the conflict who have been affected by the war. The film explores themes of grief, forgiveness, and reconciliation as Halima comes face to face with the painful memories of the conflict.

One of the most striking aspects of Halima's Path is its authenticity. The film was shot on location in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and many of the actors were actual survivors of the war. The storyline is also based on real-life events, and the film includes archival footage from the conflict, which gives it a sense of historical accuracy and poignancy.

In terms of performances, the film is anchored by a powerful and nuanced performance from Alma Prica, who portrays Halima with a quiet strength and dignity. Her scenes with Mijo Jurisic's character are particularly moving, as they confront the shared pain of the conflict and the difficult task of moving on from it. Olga Pakalovic also delivers a standout performance as Amar, despite only appearing in a few scenes.

Overall, Halima's Path is a sobering and thought-provoking film that deals with the aftermath of war in a sensitive and nuanced manner. Its exploration of grief, forgiveness, and reconciliation makes it a timely reminder that the scars of conflict can last for generations, but that there is always hope for healing and moving forward.