bnorthup
04-15-2002, 08:54 PM
No Man’s Land (R)
At the Myrna Loy
3 stars
Head: Dr. Strangelove meets Captain Hawkeye
By Brent Northup
The Academy’s selection of the Bosnian film “No Man’s Land” as Best Foreign Film is as much a political statement as an artistic one. Honoring an anti-war satire in a time when violence is spreading like a brushfire across the planet seems more than coincidental.
And despite the fact that I liked the film, the accolades being heaped on this movie seem disproportionate to its actual merit. From my view, “No Man’s Land” is a small movie that makes its point quickly and efficiently – and sends us home. It feels a bit like Haiku – more a snapshot than a fully developed sonnet.
The story takes place during the Bosnian conflict. Two soldiers, a Serb and a Croat, find themselves trapped in a trench between the two warring sides. With them is yet another man, an injured soldier who is lying on a mine that will explode if he moves.
The absurdity of this situation is both the beauty and the curse of “No Man’s Land.” In the world of existential theater, this tale is a gem. War is reduced to a tragi-comic standoff between soldiers who simply want to go home. The injured human land mine holds a photography of of his daughter in his hand. The other two take turns gaining control of a gun and ordering the other around. As Sartre would say, truth is nowhere and everywhere.
The film expands to show the troops on both sides of the trench. The officers are played with a Dr. Strangelove idiocy that makes the whole drama seem like playtime at the asylum. The UN troops look as foolish as everyone else – and are the butt of jokes by partisan soldiers.
Having praised the satire, I must also admit that watching “No Man’s Land” was no great treat. While I laughed at the dark humor on occasion, I also found this short film quite long. It’s staged in an artificial setting, making it hard for me to take seriously. The whole drama seems contrived. It reminded me of watching Sartrian plays in the sixties – I admired the creative nihilistic vision between long naps.
So you pays your money and takes your chances, as the saying goes. Your reaction will depend on whether your desire for art is greater than your hunger for political satire. If you are looking for a “great film,” stay away. It just isn’t top cinema. It’s a first film by a Bosnian filmmaker and it plays like a first film. But if you love a good satire, and political cartoons amuse you – then run don’t walk to the Myrna Loy.
END
At the Myrna Loy
3 stars
Head: Dr. Strangelove meets Captain Hawkeye
By Brent Northup
The Academy’s selection of the Bosnian film “No Man’s Land” as Best Foreign Film is as much a political statement as an artistic one. Honoring an anti-war satire in a time when violence is spreading like a brushfire across the planet seems more than coincidental.
And despite the fact that I liked the film, the accolades being heaped on this movie seem disproportionate to its actual merit. From my view, “No Man’s Land” is a small movie that makes its point quickly and efficiently – and sends us home. It feels a bit like Haiku – more a snapshot than a fully developed sonnet.
The story takes place during the Bosnian conflict. Two soldiers, a Serb and a Croat, find themselves trapped in a trench between the two warring sides. With them is yet another man, an injured soldier who is lying on a mine that will explode if he moves.
The absurdity of this situation is both the beauty and the curse of “No Man’s Land.” In the world of existential theater, this tale is a gem. War is reduced to a tragi-comic standoff between soldiers who simply want to go home. The injured human land mine holds a photography of of his daughter in his hand. The other two take turns gaining control of a gun and ordering the other around. As Sartre would say, truth is nowhere and everywhere.
The film expands to show the troops on both sides of the trench. The officers are played with a Dr. Strangelove idiocy that makes the whole drama seem like playtime at the asylum. The UN troops look as foolish as everyone else – and are the butt of jokes by partisan soldiers.
Having praised the satire, I must also admit that watching “No Man’s Land” was no great treat. While I laughed at the dark humor on occasion, I also found this short film quite long. It’s staged in an artificial setting, making it hard for me to take seriously. The whole drama seems contrived. It reminded me of watching Sartrian plays in the sixties – I admired the creative nihilistic vision between long naps.
So you pays your money and takes your chances, as the saying goes. Your reaction will depend on whether your desire for art is greater than your hunger for political satire. If you are looking for a “great film,” stay away. It just isn’t top cinema. It’s a first film by a Bosnian filmmaker and it plays like a first film. But if you love a good satire, and political cartoons amuse you – then run don’t walk to the Myrna Loy.
END