Sunday, July 10, 2022

In the Land of Blood and Honey (2010)

  Whoo, boy.  I don't know what kind of shit Angelina Jolie was going through when she wrote this but I have to imagine therapy is cheaper.  

Content warning:  rape, war crimes, dead child, abuse, concentration camp imagery, and violence

Ajla (Zana Marjanovic) was a promising artist with a rich future ahead when war broke out in her home country of Bosnia.  Targeted for being Muslim, Ajla is separated from her sister (Vanessa Glodjo) and sent to a camp as a sex slave for Serbian soldiers.  The camp leader, Danijel (Goran Kostic), recognizes Ajla from when they used to date before the war started and "saves" her by telling the others she's his personal property.  

Jesus Kentucky-Fried Christ.  Do not watch this movie.  There is no redeeming value to be had and you can learn more about the Bosnian genocide from Wikipedia or Quo Vadis Aida.  Besides, this isn't a war movie.  It's a domestic abuse movie.  Danijel uses his power to hold Ajla against her will, repeatedly terrorizing her while telling her it's romantic, buying her gifts to keep her docile, and telling her it's her fault when he's angry.  And it ends just the way you expect.  It's free on Tubi but that is not enough of a reason to put yourself through this.  

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