Welcome to Sarajevo (1997)

Welcome to Sarajevo (1997)
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A startling examination of the Bosnian war of the mid-1990s and the role of journalists in covering it, this film was based on real-life journalist Michael Nicholson's book Natasha's Story. Like Nicholson, cynical journalist Henderson (Stephen Dillane) is one of the rat pack of reporters looking for gore in the streets of besieged Sarajevo. He is outraged when grandstanding reporter Flynn (Woody Harrelson) helps local citizens remove the corpse of a mother gunned down on a family outing. But the next day, Henderson is among the journalist vultures at a grisly scene, and he has to tell a little girl that both her parents were killed. When his story is demoted by his television network in favor of a celebrity puff piece, Henderson is angry. At the behest of his producer, Jane Carson (Kerry Fox), he visits a local orphanage. Henderson becomes deeply involved with the plight of the children and starts documenting their individual stories even as his employers express increasing disinterest. Henderson campaigns to get the kids out of Yugoslavia, with the help of an American aid worker, Nina (Marisa Tomei). He promises a girl named Emira (Emira Nusevic) that he'll take her back to his home in England. To make good on his vow, he must risk both his career and his life. He adopts the child and she is happy in England. But he must return to war-torn Sarajevo when her birth mother, who had abandoned her, demands her daughter back. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Stephen DillaneWoody Harrelson, (more)
Director(s):
Michael Winterbottom
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD,  (View All Versions)
 

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Synopsis of Welcome to Sarajevo

A startling examination of the Bosnian war of the mid-1990s and the role of journalists in covering it, this film was based on real-life journalist Michael Nicholson's book Natasha's Story. Like Nicholson, cynical journalist Henderson (Stephen Dillane) is one of the rat pack of reporters looking for gore in the streets of besieged Sarajevo. He is outraged when grandstanding reporter Flynn (Woody Harrelson) helps local citizens remove the corpse of a mother gunned down on a family outing. But the next day, Henderson is among the journalist vultures at a grisly scene, and he has to tell a little girl that both her parents were killed. When his story is demoted by his television network in favor of a celebrity puff piece, Henderson is angry. At the behest of his producer, Jane Carson (Kerry Fox), he visits a local orphanage. Henderson becomes deeply involved with the plight of the children and starts documenting their individual stories even as his employers express increasing disinterest. Henderson campaigns to get the kids out of Yugoslavia, with the help of an American aid worker, Nina (Marisa Tomei). He promises a girl named Emira (Emira Nusevic) that he'll take her back to his home in England. To make good on his vow, he must risk both his career and his life. He adopts the child and she is happy in England. But he must return to war-torn Sarajevo when her birth mother, who had abandoned her, demands her daughter back. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
102 mins

Complete Cast of Welcome to Sarajevo


Director(s):
Michael Winterbottom
Writer(s):
Frank Cottrell Boyce
Producer(s):
Graham BroadbentDamian Jones
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Violence, Not For Children, Adult Situations)
Categories:
War
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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Member Reviews (5)

 
George F.

Not sure what movie the others were watching, this film centers and develops a character (reporter) in the thick of it attempting to get the word out about an orphanage under seige, later he then takes one of the orphans home with him. It's very well acted all the way around, gives a broad scope on what it was like there, I found it to be a very good film.

Yes   |   No

 
Rafi B.

Too bad this was not a very good movie, (like say, Hotel Rwanda) because the subject demanded that it be one. Woody Harrelson's role is insignificant in this film and the movie is a bit loose. The manner in which they showed the new driver, it made you think he was some infiltrator. Not sure whey they did that, it was an unnecessary stunt.

Yes   |   No

 
Zohair H.

This was a very nice movie, covered a lot of blown up, boldly and graphic images during the massacre of the the muslim population in Sarajevo also covers some consentration camps. Not very focused on any character, was a bit haphazard with the character allocation. Over all a slow but a good movie.

Yes   |   No

 
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