Tamara Denic’s 29-minute drama Istina may not say anything new about political conflicts or freedom of speech, but the eloquence, poignancy, and laconism of what the filmmaker does say is what stays with the viewer long after the credits roll. Unpretentious in its stylistic approach, opting for realism over embellishments, “Istina” is “the truth” – a direct translation of the film’s title from Russian.
Denic doesn’t beat around the bush, thrusting the viewer into the breathless narrative. Photojournalist Jelena (Nika Rozman) is harassed in Belgrade by a right-wing extremist group. She lives with her mother and daughter in one of the many concrete high-rises lining the city block. She notices graffiti threats on the wall while walking her daughter to school. At work, a brick flies through her window, nearly killing her. Her home gets broken into. Soon Jelena has no choice but to flee to Germany. Things only get worse. She feels like she’s being followed. Folks try to hurt her during a protest. She even gets a bodyguard assigned.
Things may get a bit heavy-handed, but it is a heavy subject. Denic and screenwriter David M. Lorenz establish verisimilitude, consequently utterly immersing the audience into the life of their protagonist. Istina is an ode of sorts – to the dangerous lives of photojournalists who get into the midst of conflicts, risking everything; to the lengths our modern heroes will go to, to stand up for what’s right, so that future generations may thrive; to the freedom of the press and speech, a particularly relevant topic these days.
Rozman is fabulous, displaying determination, fear, and eternal love for her daughter with ease and grace. When asked if she ever thinks about doing something else, Jelena replies, “What’s gotten into you?” The idea has never crossed her mind. Resolute in her pursuit of Truth, she is the anchor that keeps Istina grounded. Together with Denic, they make a great team that will hopefully showcase future cinematic endeavors.
