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As If I Am Not There
“This is probably one of the best, and certainly one of the most harrowing, films you’ll see this year.” – Variety
“Astounding” – The Sunday Times
“The film is an artistic triumph that works both as a historical document and brilliant piece of film making.” – Irish Examiner
Amidst the tragedy, nightmare and darkness of the Balkan conflict, a young girl struggles to cling to humanity, and to seek and eventually find a reason to hope. Based on the acclaimed book by Slavenka Drakulicand set in Bosnia 1992, As If I Am Not There is a powerful, moving and poignant film about a remarkable woman who faced the most appalling situation during the Balkan wars.
Samira’s life is shattered the day a soldier walks into her apartment and tells her to pack her things. Rounded up with the other women from the village and imprisoned in a warehouse in a remote region of Bosnia, she quickly learns the rules of camp life. However, the day she is picked out to entertain the soldiers, the real nightmare begins. In a final act of courage or madness, Samira decides to make one last stand: to dare to be herself. And this simple act saves her life. It’s when she realises that surviving means more than staying alive that she has to make a decision that will change her life forever. As If I Am Not There is a modern war story that explores love, identity and the connections between us.
This is the first feature by Dublin director Juanita Wilson, who won an IFTA and was Oscar nominated for her debut short film The Door. And judging by this piece those wont be the only accolades she garners in her career. Her camera unflinching exposes all the brutalities of war.
Director: Juanita Wilson
Stars: Natasha Petrovic, Miraj Grbic, Stellan Skarsgård.
Visit the official website: http://www.asifiamnotthere.ie/asif
See the official trailer here:
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.