Lazar (Svetozar Ristovski, 2015) Republic of Macedonia, Croatia, Bulgaria, France

This film was not my favorite. However a well developed and important story as well as, well acted there were aspects that did not resonate with me. The main aspect being the pace of the film. For me it was just to slow, it felt like it dragged on and on. There were moments when I thought surely this was going to be the end, but more then once I was wrong. In my opinion and I dare say I wish it had a little, just a touch of Hollywood drama.

It started in the dark with single headlights as the car waited, I felt myself waiting for something to pop out but nothing did just another car, finally a big van to which you saw men jump out of and pile into the smaller vehicles. These smaller vehicles would take these men and some women to the boarder. This is where you learned what Lazar (Vedran Zivolic) the star of this film would later find himself in conflict of continuing this life style. The main story being the love story between Lazar and Katerina (played by Natasha Petrovic) who has been in many other films such as, “AS IF I AM NOT THERE,” The Piano Room,” and ” CKOPA.” Their love is tender, innocent and sweet, which is  completely opposite to Lazars secret smuggling immigrants job which includes drugs, and prostitution. She is the main reason he wants to discontinue, however being pulled in many directions, and threatened he is faced with an impossible choice.

Other then the films pacing being that of a turtle, I was impressed by the acting and the meaning behind the film and its attempt to expose an issue that many countries have been facing. In my personal opinion I wish there was either more back ground information and just a tad more drama.