No Man's Land

No Man’s Land is a foreign drama about the encounter of two soldiers fighting for opposing sides during the Bosnian War. The two men meet in an abandoned trench and while fighting all along, must find a way to convince the UNPROFOR to lead them out of “no man’s land”. There is also a man who is lying on a mine and therefore cannot move. This man spurs the actions of the other two on several occasions.

Over all, this film is a modern look into the personal ideas and thoughts of the individuals who were fighting in the Bosnian War. While trapped between the front lines by their own comrades, the two soldiers share their ideas on why the opposing side is at fault in the war and why it continues to be fought. The fact that they both agree that the war is needless and should stop immediately has no affect on the deep grudge each has for the other. For quite awhile, the two soldiers trust each other enough to shoulder their weapons and work together in a dangerous call for help. Equal concern is shared for the immobilized man though he is clearly a friend of the Bosnian and would rather see the other man dead. The trusting relationship between the trapped soldiers does not last long though and a constant power struggle takes place in which each soldier takes control only for as long as he remains vigilant and watchful. The situation between these two soldiers is analogous to the very war that has led them into it. The ongoing tension as each nation carefully monitors the border binds the warring nations into a perpetual battle at the lines.

While the soldiers wait, the UNPROFOR has internal problems of its own creating a situation in which they claim they can do nothing, but must act when the media intervenes. The colonel responsible for the necessary actions to save the stranded soldiers cares much more about creating a possible conflict within no man’s land than saving the lives of three helpless men. In the end, the two soldiers are retrieved from the trench only to kill one another within minutes. Their story, rather than uniting the opposing sides, can only stimulate more anger and increased tension. The man trapped by the mine cannot be saved, exemplifying the interminability of the terrible conflict surrounding the story.

This film takes a clear view on the senselessness of the Bosnian war. It takes careful aim at the troubled internal workings of the UNPROFOR. The media are shown to be a vital aid in bringing people to realize that the war is needless, and inciting outsiders to intervene. There is a clear global message about the nature of war and fighting: It is an unnecessary, vicious cycle with an outcome that is never enjoyed by either side.