Rating: 
Summary: Every American MUST see this movie!
Review: I first saw this movie while serving as a UN Civilian Police Observer in Western Sirmium (Vukovar region of Croatia). It was a Serbian theatrical release without subtitles and was translated on the spot by a 24 year old translator. I was deeply moved by how non-predjudicial the film told the story of the senseless and horrific conflict that has so deeply scarred a country. Srdjan Dragojevic, like many people who live in Serbia (Federal republic of Yugoslavia), are still willing to overlook racial and religous backround. Contrary to many, people of Slav, Croatian, and Bosnian Muslim backround still live together as one in Serbia. I have lived amongst these people for 13 months. This movie is by far the most accurate description of the true conflict that is destroying these people. Most importantly, the feelings that had started the Bosnian conflict are still just as strong today as they were in 1990. Any person who is still undecided on this war should see this film. War is never pretty or glorious. The Bosnian people are the only ones who can come to terms and conclude this senseless war.
Rating:
Summary: Symbols and metaphors in PVPF
Review: I found it extremely interesting to read the politically-oriented reviews which several people posted before. This film is NOT about who was right and wrong in the war. It clearly states that EVERYONE was wrong. Deeming this a pro-Serbian film is fundamentally wrong - the stereotypical caracters depict different political and social groups within Serbian society, and criticize them to a great extent. Yes this film does show Bosnians killing Bosnian Serbs. However, it also shows those same Serbs burning Bosnian houses, and killing their family members. By no means is this film biased towards one side - the story that it is based on might be, but Dragojevic manages to superbly move away from petty differences. (depicted masterfully by Tanic in "No Man's Land" with the "Who started the war?" discussion) This film is about an ogre which lives in a tunnel. An ogre which is in all of us, the inner evil which needs to come out. Moreover, this film is about the refusal of human society to accept that the forces which drive us to do evil are within ourselves. This film must not be looked at solely at the plot-level. It is filled with metaphors, similes, and symbolism. Very strong religious Christian and Muslim symbols are present, and different criticisms of the past - especially the communist era. Pretty Village, Pretty Flame brings me to tears, not only because it includes a part of my past which I do not appreciate remembering, but also because it so clearly shows how the innate human need for mazochism eventually overcomes any social boundaries. The more boundaries it overcomes, says Dragojevic, the more dangerous its consequences are. I recommend this movie to anyone interested in Yugoslavia - the full effect and understanding of the war can only be achieved by watching it together with "No Man's Land".
Rating:
Summary: Shows the world the true feelings of the combatants involved
Review: I found this movie to be extremely accurate in it's portrayal of the conflict fought in the Former Yugoslavia. Contrary to common belief, the film takes place in what is now Croatian Territory just a few kilometers north of the Sava River (Bosnia is south of the river). I know because I served as a United Nations Civilian Police Monitor from 1996 to 1997. The movie accurately portrays the feelings, both patriotic and personal, of all involved. The level of violence and betrayal seems incomprehensible to anyone but the former Yugoslav People. All parts were played by the actors accurately and without personal prejudice by the director. Another interesting note is that to this day, people of Serb, Croatian, and Bosnian ancestry live in relative peace inside the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia). It is the fault of the popular press that the conflict was not covered from all points of view. This film does just that. It shows that war is hell, no matter who fights it. More importantly, no one is the victor, they all lost to higher or lesser degrees. Also, I didn't see any Australians on the ground in Bosnia or Eastern Slavonia. People who weren't there should not inject politics into a film review.
Rating: 
Summary: Truth vs. Denial
Review: I give some credit to this movie since it was the first Serb movie admitting to Serb atrocities in Bosnia. The movie has faced serious opposition in Serbia by the nationalists and radicals. However, this movie should in no way be taken seriously. Just like "No Man's Land" it is merely a Serbian view of the war and very inaccurate. When watching "Pretty Village Pretty Flame" or "No Man's Land" one gets the idea that both sides are sick and perverted men fighting just because it's the only thing they know how to do. One gets the idea that the war just happened and Serbs got caught up in the middle of it. No matter what some nostalgics and nationalists have written on their comments here, the war is purposely misportrayed in the movie. The whole world knows that Serbs started the many Balkan wars. You just have to look at the number of casualties on each side to understand who was fighting for self-defense, and who was committing genocide and ethnic cleansing. It's not just a coincidence that mass graves are filled with Muslims, Croats or Albanians. I see a new pattern evolving in recent movies like "Pretty Village Pretty Flame" and "No Man's Land". Traditional Serb media has totally denied Serb crimes by always portraying Serbs as either heroes or victims, and others as evil. This new media, after not being able to hide all the war crime evidence, and after being blamed for causing all the ethnic hatred, tries to portray both sides as equally guilty. It seems like Serb media is delicately and slooooowly trying to break the truth to its people, going from ultimate denial to partial denial. To the rest of us it is just another form of propaganda. I really hope that in the near future a Serb director will be man enough to portray the whole truth and help Serbs heal from their denial.
Rating:
Summary: A different side of the war in the Former Yugoslavia
Review: I ordered this film last month and waited by the mailbox for it to arrive. Pretty Village Pretty Flame is the first film I have seen that actually shows a side of the war many Americans and even Western Europeans didn't see. Although this film is a satire it must have some heart felt memories. The only I can be almost positive that this has true accounts of life in the Former Yugoslavia is that I saw the horrible end of these once unified states. In my experience in IFOR through the year of 1996 (Jan.-Feb.) I have heard many stories from Bosnian Croats, Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Serbs. If you would like to see something of this war in the Former Yugoslavia you should check this film out.
Rating: 
Summary: Starts clunky but gets really high quality by the end
Review: I remember years ago sitting and watching the conflict in Bosnia on my TV, a news report I think it was and realizing that everyone looked alike. There were no special characteristics of Croatians, Serbians or Muslims that set them apart visually and yet they were at war. I wondered how people knew whom to kill? Couldn't one simply change sides if one found themselevs in a situation where they needed to be on the otherside to survive. Odd things like that strike me about the world and so I tend to collect odd films that say something about the world we're in (or perhaps other ones). This film accomplishes pulling the viewer in, I always know a good film if I forget that I'm watching actors for a second, if my disbelief is suspended. Which is why my choices tend to be so esoteric, so wide ranging, it takes a lot to get me not thinking about the film (having made a few) and thinking instead about the story (having written many), the quality of a war picture, I generally shy away from them because I believe that war is an abomination and not for entertainment purposes, but this one transcends that. The beginning is a little experimental, jumping between time and place, between character in a way that sets up the viewer for an entirely different film than the second half. There are many storylines going on here, almost too many but at the same time I felt that the subtitles made it work, the constant shifting. The final time spent in a tunnel, when the question of survival seems the most in question for so many in teh film is both funny, brutal and real. Each soldier and one reporter are pushed further and further beyond the boundaries of humanity by the enemy surrounding them and their own personalities. Quickly their informal ranks break down and we see them as marauders who don't quite know how they got that way, some for noble reasons, others by accident and some for loyalty to state or family. There are several moments when everyone appears to be a type---the smart one, the old one, the hero, the crazy one, the funny one, etc. in this foxhole and then they unveil themselves, become something entirely different. This film is about a specific war, a specific breakdown that pitted friends and family against each other, that tore a country apart and it does fall back on easy conventions because they are true but it also shows a brutality and senselessness of battles and war and even that in the foxhole, no one ever comes up with a concrete plan to get out, none of these peopel are the stereotypical soldier. In the end, one man drags himself to detah trying to kill another in a hospital simply because of ethnicity and it was almost worth the entire film to see his friend try and stop him. War isn't glory or wonderful PearlHarbor special effects, it's garbled communicatiosn and convincing one man to kill another simply because another man has told you to and hwo easily we all fall for the political okey-doke to do so.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best war movies ever made.
Review: I rented Pretty Village Pretty Flame on an impulse one night because I'm interested in the Boznian situation. I wasn't sure what to expect, though in all honesty, I wasn't sure if it's be any good. I was blown out of the water. It's brutally honest, cynical and yet darkly humorous account of the war in Yugoslavia amazed me. The story, the performances and most of all the directorship were all grade A+. I must say that Dragojevic' has made a powerful, haunting film that is even, if one can call a war movie such, fun for the eyes with it's impressive visuals. I recently purchased this title on DVD and hit a snag. The DVD transfer leaves the film a bit grainy in parts with pixilation present from time to time. Still, a terrific movie that I believe anyone who likes "real" movies should buy.
Rating:
Summary: the best anti-war movie ever
Review: I saw this movie before I left the US about a year ago and it deeply affected me. It shows better than any movie I have ever seen how people who are otherwise normal are capable of turning into monsters. A depiction of the senselessness of war that even "Saving Private Ryan" was not able to top. Although this movie was a Serbian production, it does not take sides in the conflict that it depicts. Instead it shows a human side of the war - the characters are both good and evil. I recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Reality check
Review: I saw this movie in every shape and form known, from a movie theater to VHS to DVD, and am amazed by it every time I watch it, again and again. I am a Serb (from belgrade) and have not ever seen the war in Bosnia other than through stories of friends who were there, but I well remember the articles of newspapers about the group being captured at the tunnel. This is a real life story about the lives of two best friends. They never hated each other yet they were on opposite sides. that is exacly what the war was. people never hated "the other side". Many never knew why they were fighting, yet they died. it is sad, and the movie shows the objectively how cruel a war can be no matter who fights in it. A must-see for anyone who is interested in humanity and peace!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic film...US version has missing scenes
Review: I was familiar with this film only in its UK video release version. When I bought a copy in America, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it included a couple of scenes absent from the UK version. No violence or sex that was cut out, just two complete scenes that make the story a little tighter. Unfortunately, the print for the US version is far inferior to the UK and European video quality. It's muddier and not as sharp. A shame. I can't speak for the DVD, but the tape is certainly worth buying because this is one of the best anti-war films I have ever seen. A real gem. Dragojevic is a very talented filmmaker. It remains to be seen if he can keep close to the zeitgeist though, as apparently he has signed on with Miramax for a few films.
|
