'As If I Am Not There' will leave its mark

Director: Juanita Wilson

Cast: Natasha Petrovic, Miraj Grbic, Stellan Skarsgard

One of the most powerful – and harrowing – films you will see this year, and one of the most thoughtfully realised by debut director Wilson.

The story is set against the terrible Bosnian War of the 1990s and based on stories revealed during the subsequent International Criminal Tribunal at the Hague.

Central to this fine film is the excellent performance by the beautiful Petrovic, playing Samira, a teacher at a remote village school when Serbian soldiers invade and subject the female population to unspeakable horrors.

Samira’s fight to maintain her dignity and sanity against impossible odds is viewed with compassion and honesty … the sort of film that will leave its mark for a long time.

Star Rating: 5/5