Review
by Moyra J. Bligh originally written for the "John
& Delenn Site"
The basis for this film is a parable about Yugoslavia, again the theme of
brother fighting brother. Made a scant two years before the events that
finally tore the country apart, it's a complicated tale as it switches back
and forth from present to past to present again, touching on some of the
significant events in Yugoslav history. It can be difficult to follow without
subtitles as portion of the story are told in the letters on audio tape that
are exchanged between the two brothers, making the tale sometimes more verbal
than visual.
Mira plays "Vranka" the mother of the half-brothers, the younger Serbian,
in prison in Yugoslavia, the elder Croatian and in self-exile in Austria.
The brothers, some 20 years apart in age, for all intents and purposes have
never met. Their relationship is a highly complex one as they are united by
the common bond of their mother and yet bitterly divided because of their
fathers ethnic and cultural differences and political and religious beliefs.
"Vranka" is dead by the time the film begins and her story is told in
retrospect through the eyes of her sons. It's an interesting role for Mira
as she ages some 40 years in the film, more with skill and body language
than with makeup, and extremely convincingly. I find it intriguing to watch
"Vranka's" movements, and even the way she stands in later parts of the film
and I marvel at Mira's understanding of the way the old move even though she
herself was a young woman when she created this role.
This film contains one of the very few pieces of her work that I'm not
greatly enamoured of, namely her death scene, there's something jarring
about it that makes it ring untrue. However, I've never actually seen anyone
electrocuted by a piece of faulty machinery so I may be way off the mark.
Then again, maybe I just don't like watching her die.