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First, the Recap:
Credibility. Accuracy. Honesty. These three concepts can form a cornerstone belief in making every attempt to ensure that the words we say or write, the actions we consider or take part in, and just the overall manner in which we live our lives is founded on those bedrock principals. It is a highly regarded way to exist, not remotely being PERFECT in it all, as this isn’t possible, but at last demonstrating the willingness to strive for verity through all we aim to achieve. Yet, there are those out there who refuse to believe certain people have ANY chance to be this way at ALL. Starting in Belgrade, Serbia, photojournalist Jelena (Nika Rozman) has seen her fair share of hate towards her “kind” thanks to what she takes pictures of and then writes about. When a harrowing instance causes her to flee to Hamburg, Germany with her young daughter Lara (Milica Vuksanovic), she learns quickly that it isn’t so easy to abscond from scorn.
Next, my Mind:
Journalistic integrity and standing firm for what you believe and strive to convey runs head on into the fiery storm of malicious intent, misguided ideologies, and the insidious nature of pure, unadulterated contempt through this 29-minute Oscar qualifying short film project from director Tamara Denic, writer David M. Lorenz, and producer Christian Siée that relentlessly smashes into both your heart and head with the precise purpose the film’s title hits us with–TRUTH. As a member of the media arena myself, while I freely admit being monumentally thankful for NOT having to face the type of circumstances depicted in the film, this effort stands for what it should–an unflinching testament to those journalists to ARE out in harm’s way daily, able and choosing to put their own safety at risk for the sake of actually BEING honest in what they’re then presenting to the world and wanting the REAL, even if sometimes harsh, facts to be known. Period.
Even when it has been more than evident that not ALL journalists act with complete virtue and provably reliable reporting, to assign falsehood and blame to the WHOLE of media professionals is where the issues arise and the ideas of freedom of press and speech very much HAVE total merit to be discussed and reconsidered in order to, ideally, separate genuinely bad eggs from what I would like to believe is the MAJORITY that are truth-tellers. This becomes HIGHLY and acutely conspicuous in this film’s narrative that sees a photojournalist attempting to simply report what she’s witnessed through her pictures first being driven from her home to another COUNTRY to maintain the safety of herself and daughter but then having to experience the SAME prejudices there as well. We’ve heard about such general instances in real life news, and that alone allows this film to carry such impactful, necessary, SINCERE weight, relatability, and persuasive force.
Additionally, the narrative is a case study in abject extremism getting a foothold in people’s minds and the, sadly, strong influence it can have on the masses, especially in the day and age we’re in of social media, which can spread and fully fuel a firestorm of fear and misunderstanding (or just sheer malice) around a city, State, country, or the world in a matter of minutes or hours and subsequently feed its own magnitudes of lies and inflammatory rhetoric against someone or groups of people so quickly that logic and rationality exits the room and all that’s left IS the anger and disdain. How the film chooses to showcase this is equally evocative, often focused on “trolling” and the damaging effect it could have on someone, even if they are trying to just “laugh it off”. The actual physical obstacles and/or threat that these reporters can encounter is likewise viscerally visited on screen and assuredly collides with your soul and spirit in the brutal reality illustrated.
Yet, in the midst of chaos, the film DOES very much also find the means to focus on the beauty of parental and familial bonds, the indelible potency of the human will to maintain composure and remain steadfast in what one is trying to accomplish, even AT the potential cost of one’s own life, just being adept AT what we’ve made the choice to pursue in a career, and harboring that undying desire to TELL the facts so that others DO get the portrait of what’s really going on. The story also addresses, though, how perhaps we let our passions rule us SO much that whether we want to or not, we have lost sight on the perspective of what’s more important, believing we’re doing what we love and that’s that, without entertaining the possibility of change that could honestly BE for our own betterment AND the betterment of all those closest to us. The film’s finale speaks to this with a resounding, explosive, compelling, sobering, and outright wrenching resonance.
Rozman delivers a wholly memorable performance that’s a superb combination of controlled, confident, energetic fervor with wonderfully endearing charm and vitality through her role as Jelena, a doggedly determined photojournalist whose life and work covering unrest in Belgrade, Serbia gets upended when the current story she’s tackling becomes dangerous for her and her daughter and mother. Moving to Hamburg with her daughter to escape the imminent dangers, it becomes a quick lesson that hate follows or is present for her everywhere. With voices telling her to seek better and safer opportunities, whether Jelena listens will be the biggest challenge she must ponder. It’s a fantastically portrayed, emotionally charged performance Rozman provides as she guides the character through an ever-increasing environment of personal and professional volatility.
Oh no, there’s ANOTHER one! This is a rather abrupt statement to make, but let me assure everyone, it is actually a very POSITIVE thing when it comes to the performance rendered by child actress Vuksanovic via her turn as Lara, Jelena’s young daughter who must learn about the politics of fear far too soon when she must deal with the escalating ramifications of her mother’s career and the unwanted, even violent attention it is gathering. Forced to move with her mother away from a beloved home and grandparent, Lara’s adjustment to her Mom’s decision is one fraught with uncertainty and agitation BUT also an even deeper LOVE for her Mom and the inspiration she sees in her. Vuksanovic brings Lara to life with mature vibrancy and delivery, creating an effective, engaging, winning character whose life will be altered forever by events unfolding. A real credit to another young actress with what this critic feels is plenty of ongoing potential.
Primary supporting turns arrive first from Elizabeta Djorevska as Branka, Jelena’s mother/Lara’s grandmother who has more than her fair share of reservations about her own daughter’s career choice as it becomes more and more dangerous to continue in and tries to be one voice of reason to see if the situation will be transformed or remain as it is. Zeljko Marovic plays Nikola, a worker at the local diner in Belgrade who has had a growing relationship with Jelena that gets interrupted when she moves away. Not wishing to let go, Nikola also makes his opinions, and feelings, known for her, hoping it might change her mind. Matthias Ludwig is Tom, a security professional assigned to Jelena in Germany after her new editor insists she doesn’t go to the events she’s covering alone anymore. Stalwart in his duties, Tom knows the chaos but may not completely be prepared for where things might end up going.
Additional appearances are made by Jelena Bosanac and Idil Üner as Kristina and Sibel, the editors Jelena works with at the respective publications she becomes a part of over the course of her situation, as well as Mladen Djordjevic, Sonke Reimers, Max Heinemann, Lucie Trittermann, and Carla Emmerich who play some of the extremists and/or protestors Jelena runs afoul of during her photography of demonstrations. So, in total, “Istina” (again aka: “Truth”) stands as a definitively convincing, totally grounded, forthright exploration that is both tribute to and cautionary tale about the realities of journalistic pursuits, what it should stand for, those who make it their mission to BE authentic in what they provide us, and a reminder of the need for more validated means to LEARN what the facts are FIRST rather than allowing all this ongoing resentment and judgment of the few to outweigh the yearning of the many who just WANT dependable veracity in news.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
