This film offers a glimpse into childhood experiences within a conflict zone. It's an anti-war story set in the Kosovo region of Serbia, centering on Christian residents of a secluded village. Everyone else was relocated, but one family—a boy, his father, and grandfather who had lived there for generations—refused to leave. The movie portrays the constant danger they faced daily, viewed through the eyes of the young boy, who is the only child in his community without friends. A German co-production, it was submitted as Serbia’s entry for the 2016 Academy Awards. While the beginning felt slow, the film gained momentum toward the end. It tackles a delicate subject with considerable skill. It's difficult to imagine living under the threat of potential violence that could erupt at any moment; moving around required protection and armored vehicles. Notably, the movie avoids depicting major acts of violence or confrontations between ethnic groups, perhaps intentionally to prevent stirring up further tension. The film aims to promote a message of peace through childhood friendships. Consequently, the narrative largely focuses on the children’s perspectives on the situation. However, the story later shifts location and reveals how past events continue to affect their lives. > "Tell the bishop that if he's a true Serb he should not be afraid. He can saddle his horse, won't ride in that armored vehicle." Although it runs for 90 minutes, I felt like the film concluded prematurely because of its good pacing. The realistic approach occasionally made it seem dull, but throughout, it kept me invested in the story and characters until the final act. The plot unfolds interestingly, with new developments every few minutes, making it hard to predict where it's headed or how it will resolve. Dialogue is restrained, even when voices are raised; however, the sudden sound of gunshots is startling and creates a palpable sense of impending danger because the setting initially feels peaceful—at least for viewers unaware of prior events. I appreciated the performances of the children, especially the young lead actor. While it has elements of a children's movie due to its cast, the subject matter might be too intense for younger audiences; I’d suggest a PG rating. The location is stunning, and the cinematography is excellent, with some striking long shots and camera angles. Overall, the film exceeded my expectations, particularly the suspenseful third act, although I wasn't entirely satisfied with the editing in that section. They attempted to create surprise by presenting scenes out of chronological order, which felt unnecessary for a narrative flowing so smoothly, but it wasn’t detrimental. It took me some time to fully grasp its quality and understand what the filmmaker was trying to convey, requiring a mental review of what I had seen. Initially, I thought it was merely adequate, but it proved to be much better and delivers an important message. It's relatively obscure for audiences in Southeastern Europe, but worth seeking out if you discover it. 8/10

Source on TMDB