Film Review – Dara of Jasenovac

There’s been a multitude of stories concerning the horrors of World War II brought to the screen, and there will be many more to come. It remains fertile dramatic ground to explore tales of heroism and suffering, giving producers more of a black and white opportunity to inspect personal sacrifice in the middle of a world-changing conflict. For “Dara of Jasenovac,” focus moves away from American and European concerns, highlighting the torturous experience of Croatia during the Ustase years, following one 10-year-old girl’s odyssey through a concentration camp system as she tries to keep her two-year-old brother alive. There’s perspective here worth noting, adding to the history of WWII, but there’s little in “Dara of Jasenovac” that hasn’t been done before, and by stronger filmmakers. It’s 130 minutes of hardship that quickly loses its impact, as director Predrag Antonijevic grows obsessed with finding new ways to photograph mental and physical breakdowns, creating an especially difficult sit for anyone beside students of history. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com