Dashing for cover: Henderson (Stephen Dillane) and cameraman caught in the line of fire. (Above) Emire Nusevic has a central, moving role Put Socialist Outlook on your Gift List! "Welcome to Sarajevo", directed by Michael Winterbottom Reviewed by Tim Johnson THIS LATEST film from Michael Winterbottom of "Jude" fame does not aim to offer a solution, or even any political direction, to the war in Bosnia.
What it sets out to do is show the effects of the war on the people of Sarajevo, and of the journalists covering it. In this it is far better than any other that this reviewer has seen.
Like many films of its type it suffers from being made from the standpoint of an outsider, the journalist.
When asked about why he had not made it from the standpoint of a Sarajevan, the scriptwriter, Frank Cottrell Boyce, said that he was opposed to the way that films dealt with the effects of the Vietnam war on Americans, but that he could only get finance for a "compromise".
Thus the story is about journalists, who were continuously in danger, and their relationship with Bosnians.
It is based on a book by Michael Nicholson who is played excellently by Stephen Dillane. One wonders whether the makers were pressurised into taking Woody Harrelson as a crowd-puller, as he looks out of place.
In reply to criticisms that have been made of its historical accuracy, Boyce said that he had reasons for changing the order of events, in order to show effects.
For example he shows a convoy carrying children away from Sarajevo. He also shows an earlier convoy as having been bombed, thus IT'S the end of another busy year: December is the month in which most of us are under pressure to dig deep into our killing two children. In reality this took place later, but he wanted to show the danger the children were in.
In other words he was not intent on total historical accuracy, but on trying to display reality.
This is not a made up film, nor is it a straight documentary: but it is dealing with what really happened, and is still happening. It shows the brutality of the Serbian Chetniks at work; documentary film, of the death camps for example, is effortlessly woven in.
It shows the dark side of the besieged: The gangster element, "how could you afford such a car?" says a small girl; the prostitution: "where did you get anAmerican cigarette?" asks a mother.
Much of this was obviously enhanced by the presence of reporters, and the UN forces, as sources of petrol and cigarettes qand so on.
Despite the fact that as one of the Bosnians says "the siege is everything", the people still manage to be positive, to make a feast out of three eggs, to plan and hold a concert, to try to continue some pockets to give generously to those nearest and dearest. But while you're at it, why not spare a thought for political principles - and add Socialist Outlook to your list for a gift? Over the last year we've done plenty to deserve your support and respect. We and our readers have been deeply invoved in the European wide campalgn against unemployment, cuts and social exclusion. We were central to organising the British leg of the European Marches, building for the Amsterdam demonstration and getting people to last month's demonstration in Luxemburg. Through this work we have deepened our links with workers in struggle, particularly with the Liverpool Dockers, the sacked Maanet workers and the couragous Hillingdon women. We have strengthened our involvement in unempolyed action groups and activity against the JSA, Project Work and Labour's misnamed 'New Deal'. All this work must ao on. In 1998 we will need resources to bulld a demonstration and counter-summit to take place In Cardiff at the time of the Intergovernmental Conference in July. normality in their lives. But the whole film is about the way the war is destroying their lives, and how the world looks on.
We see the cynicism of Western leaders; criticising Karadzik, then sitting down with him. The refusal of humanitarian aid to orphans is another example. What is not dealt with however is the UN embargo on arms for the Bosnian Government forces, at a time when the Serb nationalists had all the heavy weapons.
The western media reporters are shown as vultures. The problems for the reporters themselves are it needs. areas of activity. racial attacks. Ised. Without help from you, our readshown when they start to care about the people massacred, or the orphans. The editors, and the proprietors don't care. On the day of one of the massacres the main news headline was of the break up of the Duke and Duchess of York. Reviewing the film in the Observer, John Sweeney says that paper, for which he reported, didn't carry a single word from him in the week that Fergie's toe sucking story broke, and 3000 shells landed on Sarajevo. What makes this a great film is how real the reactions of the people are. The father who gets news ers, we will not be able to give this crucial mobilisation the person-power or pubicity Despite our heavy involvement in this campaign, we have not neglected other We have fought cuts and closures in the NHS, social services and local government. We have supported and built the campaigns of students against tuition fees, and of women fighting for the defence and extension of abortion provision.
We have been involved in campaigns against the racist policing of the black community and for justice for victims of We have fought for the closure of detention centres in which asylum seekers fleeing persecution in their countries of origin have been imprisoned and brutalWe have fought for class struggle policies, action and leadership within the trade unions. We have been relentless critics of Blair's New Labour policies.
We have sought co-operation with other socialists and activists to strenthen our common fight and win new forces to our causes. We have tried to struggle against the sectarianism on the left which so often dissuades new militants from any of his son in a camp, gives the reporter a drink, and a piece of pie. Afterwards when he is on his own he breaks down. This is the reality:, these orphans exist, their parents have been exterminated. One can only come out of this film angry. It is a film that must be seen. As socialists we felt we had an answer, to end the arms embargo on Bosnia, to fight for class unity, and working class solidarity actions throughout Europe. But the problem was always complex and difficult. This film shows the question in as dramatic form as you will see. sustained involvement.
We have dome all this and more on the shoestring budget on which the left always operates. Sadly we have no Bernie Ecclestone to offer us £1 million a time.
Our policies don't tend to attract millionaires. Rather we are dependent solely on the generosity of ordinary working people, often low-paid, some unemployed.
We desperately need to upgrade our equipment so that we can produce better publicty material around the issues we are working on.
We need to boost our travel budget so that we can better resource some of our smaller groups of supporters. We also need money to refurbish our building which needs some major repairs. If you like what we do and are interested in what we say, then please consider sending us a donation - however large or small. Cheques should be made payable to Socialist Outlook and sent to Po Box 1109, London N4 2AA and marked 'Xmas appeal". Even better, why not consider making us a regular monthly donation? Standing order forms are available from your Socialist Outlook seller, or from the above addresss.
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