An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker (2013), directed by Danis Tanovic, is a moving film about Roma family living in the village of Poljice, in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It is interesting that the movie is "situated" in Poljice, knowing that there are so many villages of the same name all across the Balkans. By situating the movie plot in Poljice, we are not actually situated anywhere specifically, which is relates well to what The Guardian review wrote : "Nazif and Senada exist in a world almost outside society, almost outside any concept of the nation state." The movie portrays their hardships and poverty in a very respectful and tangible manner, without the common stereotypes usually attached to artistic works created on the premises of Roma lives.
Nazif Mujic (Nazif), his wife Senada and their two young daughters Semsa and Sandra live in a humble home far away from the urban centers. Nazif is a bread-maker of the family, working as a iron picker, and savaging iron from wherever he possibly can. He uses the same axe to smack old cars, and earns almost nothing. Senada is a stay at home mother and housewife, always making sure the house is tidy. One day, she felt a strong abdominal pain. They soon get a diagnosis that she miscarried a child, and her condition is critical. She needs operation as soon as possible, but she has no medical insurance and doctors agree to operate her only if she pays 980 marks (500 euros). This is a fortune for the family of an iron picker. However, after a long search for help the manage to find ''the hole in the law'' and Senade gets the medical treatment that was essential for the life.
On the internet I found an information that the plot is based on the true story, but I am unsure how reliable this is. As a viewer, I found it interesting how the opening scenes of the movie are so similar to its final scenes, yet the emotions provoked in me were very different. In the beginning, we see the day to day family life; Senada preparing burek, two little kids cheerfully climbing onto the TV and jumping on sofas, the overall atmosphere of a modest household. We are slowly starting to realize how poor this family is. I felt sadness watching the first scenes, and my understanding of how their day to day life looks like. Yet, very similar scenes occur at the end of the film when all the health problems are resolved; Senada and Nazif express their love over a cup of Turkish coffee, the children are happily jumping around the living room again, and the TV is again on after the power outbreak. And now, the same aesthetics evoke another emotions in me: I felt relieved that they have their day to day life back, despite them remaining poor. At least, Senada still has her life.
Upon reading some reviews on the internet about this movie, I read that just recently (on Feb 18th, 2017), Nazif Mujic passed away at the age of 47. He had to sold his Silver Bear for Best Actor Award (that he got for this role), for 4000 euros due to harsh financial crises. He seemed to pass away due to "mental stress" related to poverty and racism faced as a Romni in Bosnia.
It is interesting that the movie is "situated" in Poljice, knowing that there are so many villages of the same name all across the Balkans. By situating the movie plot in Poljice, we are not actually situated anywhere specifically, which is relates well to what The Guardian review wrote : "Nazif and Senada exist in a world almost outside society, almost outside any concept of the nation state." The movie portrays their hardships and poverty in a very respectful and tangible manner, without the common stereotypes usually attached to artistic works created on the premises of Roma lives.
Nazif Mujic (Nazif), his wife Senada and their two young daughters Semsa and Sandra live in a humble home far away from the urban centers. Nazif is a bread-maker of the family, working as a iron picker, and savaging iron from wherever he possibly can. He uses the same axe to smack old cars, and earns almost nothing. Senada is a stay at home mother and housewife, always making sure the house is tidy. One day, she felt a strong abdominal pain. They soon get a diagnosis that she miscarried a child, and her condition is critical. She needs operation as soon as possible, but she has no medical insurance and doctors agree to operate her only if she pays 980 marks (500 euros). This is a fortune for the family of an iron picker. However, after a long search for help the manage to find ''the hole in the law'' and Senade gets the medical treatment that was essential for the life.
On the internet I found an information that the plot is based on the true story, but I am unsure how reliable this is. As a viewer, I found it interesting how the opening scenes of the movie are so similar to its final scenes, yet the emotions provoked in me were very different. In the beginning, we see the day to day family life; Senada preparing burek, two little kids cheerfully climbing onto the TV and jumping on sofas, the overall atmosphere of a modest household. We are slowly starting to realize how poor this family is. I felt sadness watching the first scenes, and my understanding of how their day to day life looks like. Yet, very similar scenes occur at the end of the film when all the health problems are resolved; Senada and Nazif express their love over a cup of Turkish coffee, the children are happily jumping around the living room again, and the TV is again on after the power outbreak. And now, the same aesthetics evoke another emotions in me: I felt relieved that they have their day to day life back, despite them remaining poor. At least, Senada still has her life.
Upon reading some reviews on the internet about this movie, I read that just recently (on Feb 18th, 2017), Nazif Mujic passed away at the age of 47. He had to sold his Silver Bear for Best Actor Award (that he got for this role), for 4000 euros due to harsh financial crises. He seemed to pass away due to "mental stress" related to poverty and racism faced as a Romni in Bosnia.
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