The Agreement

Danish filmmaker Karen Stokkendal Poulsen helmed this intriguing fly-on-the-wall documentary about one of the most complicated diplomatic negotiations of the past few years: the establishment of a peaceful co-existence between Serbia and Kosovo following the latter's declaration of independence in 2008. In 2011, European Union chief negotiator Robert Cooper was tapped to broker a historic meeting that would create a legal agreement regarding the border between the two countries. Since this was the first time that diplomatic representatives from Serbia and Kosovo agreed to meet, Cooper found himself in the distinctive situation of having to break down mistrust between the two sides and facilitate a mutually satisfactory solution—or, at the very least, a feasible compromise. Kosovo representative Edita Tahiri and Serbian delegate Borko Stefanovi clearly recognized the significance of their meetings—not to mention the presence of cameras—as both here seem to go to great lengths to show their humanity and charm. (Tahiri clearly wins by having her hair styled on camera prior to going to Cooper's office.) While The Agreement assumes some general knowledge of the Serbia-Kosovo struggle, it also effectively illustrates how diplomacy actually works and what is required in bringing once-implacable foes into a cordial and forward-thinking environment. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)