WITNESSES (2003)

WITNESSES: LIFE IN KARLOVAC

In the midst of a war, it is not just the frontline where fatalities occur. In Vinko Brešan’s Witnesses (2003), the city of Karlovac plays an integral role in the unfolding drama. The Croatian war of Independence has gripped the small city, causing the division of ideologies within the town to become exceedingly obvious. The accentuation of different beliefs causes former friends to become enemies and begins the story.

When the movie opens, three Croatian soldiers intend to destroy the home of a Serbian man as a demonstrative protest. This goes wrong when they realize that he is actually inside the house, causing them to spontaneously change their plan. Were it in chronological order, this is where the story should begin. The rest of the movie concerns the reactions and viewpoints of what occurred from various characters however; this is presented in a non-linear fashion.

The small town setting of the movie is crucial in constructing this environment of distrust amongst the community. The prior prejudices and relationships of the characters spill into the investigation and influence the way that people react to the unfolding events. In a totalitarian state such as this one, the presence of authority is inescapable therefore there is already an atmosphere of cynicism present between the government and society. When wars such as this occur, not only are people suspicious of the state’s intervention in their lives but also, it is believed that even your neighbor may be plotting against you.

In the West, it is commonly believed that there will be some physical marker that distinguishes one side from another. This is because most of the wars concern entirely different nationalities however, in confined wars such as those in Eastern Europe; this is not so easily differentiated. Realistically, the problems are considerably less superficial than that. It is less about what is physically different and more so about ideological beliefs. To put it simply, the main problem was that Croatia wanted freedom from Serbian rule therefore the Croatians developed a strong detest for their neighboring country.

While this racial prejudice clearly influenced the way that the citizens reacted to the investigation, the profession of the Serbian was also an issue. It was well known that he had dealings within the black market. Many Eastern European countries still operate under Marxist economics, which state that such dealings with commodities are inherently bad. Therefore, the career choice of the Serbian man coupled with his nationality would have proved exceedingly difficult for people to ignore such a notorious figure in the small town setting.

The appearance of the town itself contributes to the uneasy environment presented within the narrative. Contextually, the reason that the place is so gray and muted is related to the weather. From March to November, thick heavy clouds mask the city causing people to seek solace in inside venues like bars or homes. The effect that this creates within the movie is one of uneasiness, as though the city itself is an enemy in the war. The miserable environment of the town emphasizes the unhappiness and tension felt by the characters that reside within it.

In conclusion, Brešan has creatively constructed a visual narrative that is seeped in distrust and prejudice. The cinematography of Zinko Zalar perfectly compliments the plot and is certainly a key aspect of the film’s success. By intentionally avoiding the glitz and glamor perpetuated by mainstream Hollywood productions, the film maintains a much-needed gritty, realistic quality. From the five-minute opening shot of Karlovac, before a word has been said, the audience becomes aware of just how much war can impact a city and its residents.