During the Bosnian war in 1995 in the town of Srebrenica, the film is seen through the eyes of Aida Selmanagic (Jasana Duricic), a Bosniak Muslim who is a schoolteacher and also works for the United Nations as a translator. She tries desperately to use her UN status to protect her husband and two military-aged sons whose lives are threatened by the invading Serbian army.
Other films about historical genocide (especially the Holocaust) are mostly seen by people who were not alive when the events happened. With "Quo Vadis, Aida", it is the opposite: most people who saw the film WERE alive when the events occurred. This heightens the film's impact.
Within this fictionalized story of true events, Aida makes various attempts to protect the male members of her family. Sometimes, her attempts work and sometimes, they don't. Not knowing whether she succeeds in each attempt is the source of the tension in this great film. These scenes are also strongly critical of the UN in a bold way.
Director/writer Jasmina Zbanic did an exceptional job in co-ordinating many scenes involving enormous crowds suffering from massive chaos. There is also a stunning, mind-blowing climax plus a touching epilogue. Duricic is equally exceptional in the lead role covering a wide range of emotions especially in the epilogue. "Quo Vadis, Aida" could be aptly described as both a thriller while also depicting one of the worst tragedies since WW2. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
Other films about historical genocide (especially the Holocaust) are mostly seen by people who were not alive when the events happened. With "Quo Vadis, Aida", it is the opposite: most people who saw the film WERE alive when the events occurred. This heightens the film's impact.
Within this fictionalized story of true events, Aida makes various attempts to protect the male members of her family. Sometimes, her attempts work and sometimes, they don't. Not knowing whether she succeeds in each attempt is the source of the tension in this great film. These scenes are also strongly critical of the UN in a bold way.
Director/writer Jasmina Zbanic did an exceptional job in co-ordinating many scenes involving enormous crowds suffering from massive chaos. There is also a stunning, mind-blowing climax plus a touching epilogue. Duricic is equally exceptional in the lead role covering a wide range of emotions especially in the epilogue. "Quo Vadis, Aida" could be aptly described as both a thriller while also depicting one of the worst tragedies since WW2. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Directing by Jasmina Zbanic
- Acting by Jasan Duricic.