Educational Media Reviews Online

Slobadon Milosevic was President of Serbia during the wars in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Croatia in former Yugoslavia, when approximately 125,000 people were killed and over 3 million fled. In 2001 Milosevic was charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. His trial lasted four years, the longest trial for war crimes in recorded history. This stirring film begins by providing the preceding information, setting the stage for the courtroom footage and detailed account of the trial’s progression.

Interviews of the lead prosecutor, Mr. Nice, are included throughout, explaining that the challenge for the prosecution was to demonstrate Milosevic’s awareness of and command structure for bringing about the genocide. Nice acknowledges that any high ranking official deliberately and systematically distances himself from the administration’s wrong doings. As Milosevic declined legal counsel, he spurned the court with insults, intransigence, vulgarity, and gossamer arguments. Throughout the documentary, the audience witnesses grim testimony, including that of victims having evaded extermination by playing dead. During the testimonies Milosevic looked on, stone-faced. Furthermore, many Serbian military officials, survivors, and UN investigators are brought to the stand, giving compelling testimonies.

It should be noted that the film does not solely consist of disturbing wartime imagery and content. It brings to light the entire process for initiating and conducting such a massive and arduous legal process. Both in the tribunal and in interviews, the prosecutors and government officials provide lucid observations, giving the audience a firm understanding of the breadth of this trial.

It must be reinforced that this superb film is not merely intended to cause one to shake one’s head in disgust. Rather, it is a truly thought provoking and wildly informative work. It draws the viewer in with carefully selected courtroom scenes, and challenges one’s sense of justice. The editing here is outstanding, not only in the well paced movements from scene to scene, but with appealing transitional graphics as well. It is rare that a documentary can successfully distill four years of court proceedings into a succinct work as this, but Milosevic on Trial does it with aplomb. Lastly, in its effort to provide an accurate account of the trial, this documentary contains courtroom evidence of films of actual executions, and pieces of foul language.

Awards

• 2008 Danish “Academy Award” for Best Documentary
• 2007 European Broadcasting Union Golden Link Award