Black Kites

"We're all in this alone," says the narrator in this visually stunning adaptation of Bosnian artist Alma Hajric's 1992 journals, which capture the daily hell of living in a Sarajevo bomb shelter, plagued by wounding memories of lost loved ones, and lulled to sleep by the rhythm of gunfire. Combining Hajric's words with striking visual imagery, this haunting experimental film contrasts the stark reality of existence in a war-torn society (where the narrator speaks of using the wood from theater sets to keep warm; beech being the slow-burning favorite) with remembrances of family past (the husband here is played by indie actor Steve Buscemi). A collaboration between Hajric and filmmaker-choreographer Jo Andres, Black Kites is a beautiful film about an ugly subject--a poetic testament to the strength of the spirit in the face of such unspeakable sights as a pair of beloved kitties licking from a pool of human blood. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (R. Pitman)