The Balkan Line

As a kid who survived NATO bombing '99 Yugoslavia I can only say that anyone who watch this movie will see what we have gone through. They maybe served you other picture on news all over the world, but the real truth lays in this movie. Movie has some hard scenes, be prepared to everything. For brutality and not hiding those scenes I give 9.5 rating. Something that Hollywood will never make.

Whilst it was not the Siege at Jadotville per se, it brought a lot of other qualities to the screen. Some solid acting, albeit a bit more Russian than to my liking (you know, though as nails, wrestling a bear kind) the action sequences were spot on. I also like it very much when violence is unpredictable. It is in real life too. The horror of war lies in its unpredictability, the randomness with which the dead and alive are chosen. The backstories are ok, and yes there is some propaganda and Russian flagwaving in it. Just compare it to some of the American movies where everything is stars and stripes, I always take them with a ton of salt, too.

In war there is no good side, only losers. These heroes are the ones that took a loss too, for their beliefs, their family, their comrades. And everyone can feel for them, for there is a little hero in all of us. And we dream of one day being meaningful, too.

I like this better than the superhero movies of late. This type of film is a bit more mature, grim but not to the point where it gets unbelievable horror. It is a bit unrealistic in it's premises, but so was the fish my neighbour caught the other day. It still made for a great story.

I'm beginning to like Russian cinema, Belly Tigr,from 2012, also had this strange but likable feel. Doom lures, but we live on nonetheless. We accept fate but keep on trying even against all odds. It's a cultural thing, it must be.

Fantastic movie portraying Albanian atrocities they refuse to admit. Don't listen to all the one star reviews, it's Albanian propaganda trying to hid their crimes.

Ok, let's start with the positive. The film's photography and visuals are incredible. The cinematography is awesome. The story was interesting enough, and I really cared about the characters. The film has a good antagonist you simply can't help but hate (and boy, did he get what he deserved!)

Now my issues with the film. There are too many characters and therefore also too many back stories. Constant inter-cutting between scenes happening simultaneously was annoying and confusing. (It might be clearer with a second viewing). Showing scenes out of sequence further added to the confusion. There's also a lot of scenes that could - and probably should - have ended on the Cutting Room floor instead. This would have ensured a shorter runtime resulting in a faster paced film.

Based on fact, they just couldn't resist adding a fictional - and dare I say unnecessary - love story. *rolling my eyes*. In the end it was all good, though. The film's final hour is a spectacular thrill ride filled with action and suspense, and great visuals.

Balcan line caught my attention with its subject and the storyline description. The film is inspired with the Balcanic military conflict, Kosovo war, the bombing of Yugoslavia and the march to Pristina. Russian task force is ordered take control over the airdrome and wait for arrival of reinforcements under the fire of Albanian terrorists.

As for me the storyline is perfect. We see the events from the different points, in different locations. The narration is smooth. Dynamics increases gradually closer to the ending and tension does not let you go until the final credits.

Atmosphere which is crucial point in this genre is tense. The picture's filled with the pain and suffering of the Serbian people. The confrontation between the Serbs and the Albanians stands by in every glance, in every dialogue. There is drama more than enough. Sometimes it's extremely difficult to watch the film further extremely difficult but still interesting. Somebody may call it too lengthy, but personally I liked the gradual disclosure of the soldier characters, and then the dynamic and spectacular slaughter. In general, the authors allow themselves some artistic nonconformities in one direction or another, this makes the story even more interesting. Should say a word about the actors. Anton Pampushny (Shatay) and Gosha Kutsenko (Beck) are outstanding. Just bravo! Alexander Srechkovich (Smuk) looked great as an antagonist. You start to hate his image almost from the moment his character appears.

To sum up, Balcanic line is ambicious action drama which unexpectedly turned out to be great. However be ready for the oppressive and heavy atmosphere. Several people left the cinema before the middle of the cinema, a few others later. Not because the film was bad. Just the pressure is enormous. If you are highly sensitive, then I advise you to think carefully before watching it.