Diary of Diana Budisavljević (film)

**Jana** · 10-03-2019, 07:12 PM

I just came back from Cinema with my father. One word: masterpiece (in every sense, artistic and historical). It is mixed film with documentary parts. Anyone interested in WW2 Balkan history should watch it.

Wouldn't be suprised if it lifts foreign language Oskar this year. We don't remember better piece from usually very poor Croatian cinematography.

**catgeorge** · 10-03-2019, 07:23 PM

Love to watch it..... is full film anywhere online?

**Jana** · 10-03-2019, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by catgeorge

Love to watch it..... is full film anywhere online?

Not yet, it is too early...but in the future there should be, with translation.

Ülev · 10-03-2019, 08:49 PM

Art-kino Croatia u Rijeci, idem

**Jana** · 10-03-2019, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by Sundqvist

Art-kino Croatia u Rijeci, idem

Yes, we went there

If was really nice to go on movie with my father, who has equisite taste and high film standards. I watched the trailer and became intrigued, also by favorable reviews so I wanted to go. But I was afraid to ask him because, you know, film is about saving Serbian children from concentration camps and my father (who doesn't hate Serbs but he has strong dislike for Serbia the country) is a nationalist, as I am.

When I told him about my fears after the film (I would never go alone), he just laughed and asked me: ''do you think I am that primitive?''
It is painful film, for Croatia, for viewers (some of who cried during the film, and I did too), especially with real archive footage of dying sick and malnourished children in ''hospital'' inside one of camps, but it was also incredibly honest, brave and artistic.

There is no propaganda, just facts (Diana's diary and real life survivors, now pensioners), no judgement, no pathetic, just a account of dark past. Camera is masterful, as is acting, and very subtle music. Budget was very small but it didn't hurt the film in any way. Talent and passion of one of Diana's descendants who is director, and worked on this film for a decade, is clear. I am proud we can face past trough art in such a way.

This woman deserved such a tribute.