Watch The Bridges of Sarajevo

The Bridges of Sarajevo is a 2014 film that delves deeply into the horrors of the Bosnian War, specifically the siege of Sarajevo. The title of the film comes from the fact that Sarajevo is a city that is divided by the Miljacka River, and as a result, it has many bridges that connect different parts of the city. The film portrays the stories of different people who lived in Sarajevo during the war, focusing on their experiences and how they coped with the difficult situation.

The Bridges of Sarajevo is a collaborative film that consists of 13 short stories, with each story being directed by a different filmmaker from Europe. The film is a mixture of documentary and fiction, with some stories being based on real events, while others are entirely fictional. The film takes an unconventional approach to storytelling, with no clear chronological order for the events presented. Instead, the film jumps between different people, places, and times, aiming to provide a comprehensive picture of the war and its impact on the city.

The film starts with the story of a young woman who is desperately trying to get her sick father out of the city. She makes her way through the city, avoiding snipers and shelling, to reach a hospital where her father can receive treatment. Another story follows a man who risked his life to play the cello in the main square of the city during the war, in an effort to maintain some sense of normalcy and beauty in the midst of chaos. In another story, a group of Sarajevo citizens who had organized a small film festival are forced to abandon their plans when the war broke out.

One of the most profound stories in the film is about a Bosnian intellectual who is taken to a Serb concentration camp, where he is forced to dig his own grave. The film shows the professor's struggle to maintain his dignity in the face of such unimaginable cruelty. There is also a story of a young boy who becomes a snitch for the Serbs, betraying his Muslim neighbors in fear of his own life. The Bridges of Sarajevo shows the devastating effects of the war, not only on the physical infrastructure but also on the psyche of the people.

The props, settings, and costumes used in the film are all incredibly realistic, almost to the point where they look like they were made for a documentary. The film also utilizes actual footage of the war, giving viewers a sense of the immense destruction that occurred during the siege of Sarajevo. The acting throughout the film is top-notch, with standout performances from all the actors, including Bogdan Ninkovic, Fedja Stamenkovic, and Andrej Ivancic.

The Bridges of Sarajevo is a heart-wrenching portrayal of war that shows the true cost of conflict. The film is not easy to watch, but it is necessary viewing for anyone who wants to understand the full impact of the Bosnian War. It is a poignant tribute to the people of Sarajevo, who suffered so much during the war, and a reminder of the importance of peace and understanding in our world today.