The Whistleblower (2010)

A drama based on the experiences of Kathryn Bolkovac, a Nebraska cop who served as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia and outed the U.N. for covering up a sex scandal.

Director:

Larysa Kondracki

Writers:

Larysa Kondracki, Eilis Kirwan

Stars:

Rachel Weisz, Vanessa Redgrave, Monica Bellucci

6 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rachel Weisz	...	Kathryn Bolkovac
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Madeleine Rees
Monica Bellucci	...	Laura Leviani
David Strathairn	...	Peter Ward
Nikolaj Lie Kaas	...	Jan Van Der Velde
Roxana Condurache	...	Raya
Paula Schramm	...	Luba
Alexandru Potocean	...	Viko
William Hope	...	Blakely
Rayisa Kondracki	...	Irka
Jeanette Hain	...	Halyna
Benedict Cumberbatch	...	Nick Kaufman
David Hewlett	...	Fred Murray
Coca Bloos	...	Milena
Luke Treadaway	...	Jim Higgins

Storyline

Inspired by true events, Kathy (Rachel Weisz) is an American police officer who takes a job working as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. Her expectations of helping to rebuild a devastated country are dashed when she uncovers a dangerous reality of corruption, cover-up and intrigue amid a world of private contractors and multinational diplomatic doubletalk.

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Plot Keywords:

bosnia | corruption | un | diplomatic immunity | cover up | 

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Taglines:

Nothing is more dangerous than the truth.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing violent content including a brutal sexual assault, graphic nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Germany Canada USA

Language:

English Romanian Russian Serbian

Release Date:

27 October 2011 (Germany)

Also Known As:

La verdad oculta

Filming Locations:

Bucharest, Romania

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$61,002 (USA) (5 August 2011)

Gross:

$1,120,914 (USA) (21 October 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Samuel Goldwyn Films, Whistleblower (Gen One), Barry Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rachel Weisz first read the script in 2005 when she was pregnant, but turned it down because she didn't think she could play the harsh role of Bolkovac at that time. In 2009, after learning that the film never went ahead, she accepted the role and the film entered into production.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Raya: [in Ukrainian] I have to get home. Mama's gonna kill me.
Luba: No. You are staying with me tonight. Roman wants us there at nine in the morning. Raya, we've been over this. It's just a few months working in a hotel.
Raya: Yes, but...
Luba: You want to work at a Copyshack like your mother? He said it was both of us or nothing!
Raya: ...No.
[walks away]

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Connections

References Columbo (1971)

User Reviews

A good movie with an IMPORTANT story to tell.

Sure the production values could have been better, but I am sure this movie did not have the biggest budget either.

I thought Weisz, Redgrave and Strathairn gave good performances. But,most of all, what I liked was the raw feel of this movie, perhaps due to it's smaller budget, and the fact that it had a very important story to tell (a true story).

I can not comprehend people complaining, in their reviews, regarding the languages spoken. Who cares ? Obviously they cared more about aesthetics than the actual story.

Even with all it's flaws, it is a very entertaining, although sad, movie. It actually prompted me to do some research on DynCorp, KBR and Blackwater , 3 of the security contractors getting billions of $ from our governments while committing countless crimes around the world. So, I guess, in that respect, the movie has worked and got it's point across. Good to see a movie that actually gets your passion and emotions flowing, even if it is outrage.