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 trafficking scandal.

Director:

Larysa Kondracki

Writers:

Larysa Kondracki, Eilis Kirwan

Stars:

Rachel Weisz, Monica Bellucci, Vanessa Redgrave

8 wins & 11 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:

cover up | corruption | diplomatic immunity | rape | torture | 

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Taglines:

Nothing is more dangerous than the truth.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rachel Weisz essentially shadowed Kathryn Bolkovac to get to know her subject intimately. As the two share very few physical characteristics, Weisz concentrated on aping Bolkovac's mannerisms.

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Goofs

In the opening sequence which is entirely in the language of Ukraine, as Raya is being photographed, Luba whispers while mouthing the word "smile" in English.

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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

Featured in Maltin on Movies: Man on a Ledge (2012)

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Soundtracks

The Beauty Within
Written by Suma Ograda
Published by Dennis Music Ethnic Production Music Library
Courtesy of The Music People Ltd.

User Reviews

Difficult yet important story

The previous reviewer obviously didn't know that this is a true story. The specific victims were fictionalized, but the overall story of what was happening and what Rachel Wiesz's character went through are true. They are not a contrived, or "generic" "CSI" story.

That said, as a movie, Whistleblower delivers in telling about this difficultand important event. Some of the scenes were hard to watch, but, as the director mentioned at the Q&A after the screening I saw, it was just scratching the surface of what was going on. Vanessa Redgrave's character, though her scenes were relatively brief, really shined. I appreciated that the cinematography didn't involve any fancy styles or overly dramatic music. The director let the impact of the story itself, and Rachel Wiesz's fine acting, carry the movie.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Canada Germany

Language:

English Romanian Russian Serbian Ukrainian

Release Date:

27 October 2011 (Germany)

Also Known As:

The Whistleblower

Filming Locations:

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$61,002, 7 August 2011

Gross USA:

$1,124,966

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,870,392

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