Romeo and Juliet of Sarajevo

Kate Mikhail
Thursday 20 April 1995 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

It seems there's nothing people like more than a love story. Of all the heart-rending headlines to pour out of war-torn Sarajevo, little has grabbed the attention of the outside world as much as the tragic tale of Bosko Brckic and Admira Ismic.

Western viewers are considered largely immune to the footage of the horrors of war, but film-makers know that this one theme will still tug on even the most hardened of heart-strings.

Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo (8pm C4), reconstructs the ill-fated romance of a Serb and a Muslim and their attempts to reject the war around them and escape to freedom.

By focusing all the ills of the conflict on the lives of two optimistic individuals who had a great deal to live for, this film has successfully personalised a situation that many in the West might otherwise find it hard to relate to.

Sarajevo, which hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics, is seen here transformed into a desolate war zone where death is a sniper's bullet away and citizens are fired on like animals as they dash from one cover to another going about their daily business.

Bosko and Admira came close to escaping it all, one minute they were running to freedom and the next they were shot down - Admira cradling her dead lover in her arms. This is harrowing stuff, but a necessary reminder of the brutal reality for the countless victims of war.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in