Among Wolves

A documentary about a motorcycle gang made up in part of grizzled Bosnian war veterans may sound like the recipe for a bumpy ride, but director Shawn Convey’s surprising film about the Wolves Moto Club—based in the small town of Livno, in Bosnia and Herzegovina—is a touching story of pursuing a higher calling after surviving destruction and death. The Wolves’ leader, "Lija" Lijovic, is the former head of paramilitary groups that fought in the 1990s war following the collapse of Yugoslavia. Lijovic is a tough bird—at one point we see him running a Wolves meeting and calling out members who are making things hard on everybody by speeding through town. But the Wolves aren’t a blot on the economically distressed region; on the contrary, they spend their time in charitable pursuits: launching blood drives, delivering medical gear to schools, and fixing electrical issues for some nuns. Their volunteerism is inspiring, presenting a different picture than most films about veterans of pitiless wars. Most touching are dreamy scenes of wild horses romping and grazing on what was once a deadly battlefield full of mines and blood-soaked mud. Lijovic and the other Wolves have made it their mission to care for these creatures. Watching Lijovic commune with the unrestrained horses on a misty hill covered in green is a testament to the healing powers of time and purpose. Extras include an audio commentary by the director. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)