Carla's List

Carla's List (2006)

09 May 2007 • Documentary • 1h 40m
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Having read and seen a lot about both the ICTY and the war in Bosnia already, I was really looking forward to this documentary. The only interesting thing it offers, however, is a meager inside look in how Carla del Ponte thinks (the word 'justice' is mentioned so frequently it bugs even the most ardent idealist) and the few people she allows to work with her. You cannot but admire her resilience, a true pitbull, but the real error is with the makers' inability to choose what their documentary is about. Is this about Carla del Ponte personally? Is this about law vs politics? The ICTY? The massacre in Srebrenica? The mothers of Srebrenica? By highlighting all these different aspects, the documentary never becomes a profound criticism or depiction of how the Office of the Prosecutor works. It all remains shallow, made more out of consideration for the Srebrenica victims than a factual report. For those already knowledgeable in the field of international law and/or politics, this documentary has nothing new in store. Moreover, the filmmakers' tendency to dramatize becomes annoying - not to deny the drama of the Bosnia war and the difficulties of the ICTY, but because of the over-dramatization this becomes a documentary about Sad Events and Sad People. A proper documentary wouldn't need a voice-over to create a feeling of injustice or wrongdoing, but requires only image.

Marcel Schüpbach
Writer
Carla Del Ponte
Starring

Language: French, English, Bosnian
Awards: 1 nomination
Country: Switzerland
Metacritic Score:
DVD Release Date:
Box Office Total:

6.7

IMDb (46 votes)
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