Posted by kluster on September 30, 2011
In October 2000 Bosnian-based peacekeeper, Kathryn Bolkovac risked her job, reputation and life to expose UN and international peacekeepers involvement in the country’s post-war human trafficking and sex trade.
The debut feature by Canadian born director, Larysa Kondracki, is based on the true story of American police officer, Kathryn Bolkovac’s (Rachel Weisz) time spent working as a part of the post-war peace effort in Bosnia. It certainly packs an emotional punch.
The Nebraskan police officer secures a high-paying job in Bosnia, working as a peacekeeper for a private firm, contracted by the USA State Department to work closely with the UN to restore order to war-ravaged Bosnia during the late ‘90s. After helping to facilitate a historic conviction and a promotion to head of the UN’s Gender Office, Bolkovac begins to gradually uncover a violent human trafficking and sex-trade industry populated by underage women – some as young as 12 - and frequented by peacekeepers, UN workers and international police.
Kondracki tackles this mammoth story with the sophistication of a seasoned director and deserves plenty of kudos for her efforts as writer/director. It’s a pretty impressive first-time offering.More...
the whistleblower, rachel weisz, film, movie, larysa kondracki
Posted by KB on March 2, 2011
Since the release of his 2007 film, Hammer Bay, Ben Briand has been impressing audiences and critics alike with his creativity and style. Taking on short films, video clips, commercials and photography, Ben has instilled in his work a unique visual approach that’s seen him dubbed “one of Australia’s most promising film makers”. We caught up with him in the wake of the release of his latest short film, Some Static Started.
Covered: dying men, square pegs, scripts and shorts.
KB: You’ve just released Some Static Started, can you tell us a bit about it?
Ben Briand: It’s a short film I made in association with the guys at China Heights. I describe it as a strange nightmare in a hot motel by the side of a highway. In his final moments a bleeding man recalls a reoccurring dream he has had featuring a beautiful girl in trouble. It’s a short film
KB: It finishes the trilogy that includes Apricot and Castor & Pollux – were these films devised as a set from the start?
BB: Not consciously. But there are certainly threads that are consistent through all the works. I like to think of them as different perspectives on the same idea. More...
ben briand, some static started, china heights, film
Posted by Kristen D on July 27, 2010
Set in a bleak and unforgiving winter in the second century AD, Centurion makes you appreciate the fact that it’s the 21st century and you’re in a warm cinema cramming fistfuls of popcorn into your mouth. You wouldn’t be a Roman soldier for quids!
It's directed by Neil Marshall, who gave us The Descent, a terrifying and compelling horror flick a couple of years back, so we were pumped for his latest offering. Centurion is an epic action adventure, which is essentially a classic chase film. But instead of cars and guns, you have horses and swords.
Basically, the Romans are on a mission to wipe out the head of a tribe called the Picts, and therefore open themselves up to a bloody and vicious revenge attack. Their leader, General Virilus (The Wire’s Dominic West), is captured during the attack, but seven men manage to escape, and a relentless chase ensues.More...
centurion, film, neil marshall, olga kurylenko