Young Critics Lab

24 décembre 2024

THE MAN WHO COULD NOT REMAIN SILENT - Review by Renate Dujaković

Short films are quite a unique and powerful medium in storytelling, offering filmmakers the opportunity to convey powerful narratives within a limited time frame. The strength of this format lies in its ability to communicate through what is left unsaid.

The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent (dir. Nebojša Slijepčević) masterfully uses the possibilities of short film to deliver a powerful, thought-provoking message in a concise and emotionally resonant way.

The film is set on a train journeying from Belgrade, Serbia, to Bar, Montenegro. The ride takes a turn when police begin asking passengers for their IDs. The growing tension suggests. that the events take place during the 1990s, amidst the Balkan conflicts. What starts as a regular train ride quickly takes a tense turn when the police start asking passengers for their IDs, making it clear this isn't just a routine check.

Main protagonist, Dragan, who is visibly on the edge of his seat, intensifies the sense of unease. As the story progresses, we discover that the real danger lies with a passenger Milan, sitting in Dragan's compartment, who does not have his ID.
What the film does so well is that it leads us to believe Dragan will be the one to save the day. He reassures Milan, even telling him that nothing bad will happen, creating a sense of hope.
However, Dragan is just like the rest of the 500 passengers, an observer.
It is retired military officer Tomo Buzov, a lone figure who dares to take a stand. He symbolizes the moral defiance that exists even in the darkest moments of history.

The scenes are shot in a restrained manner, which helps immerse the viewer in the anxious atmosphere of the event. Close-up shots of the passengers' faces,  particularly Dragan’s, carry the growing unease without needing words.

It is also interesting to note the contrast with a younger passenger, a female student, who is casually playing a cassette with a popular radio hit of the time, "Soba 23," by Denis and Denis. The girl's casual attitude, enjoying the music without a care, reflects how unimaginable the conflict seemed to the younger generation.

For someone young growing up in that environment, the idea that the state—or even the police—would target someone just because they were Muslim or from a different ethnicity was unthinkable.

The film highlights how doing nothing can be just as harmful as actively participating in injustice. 
The bystanders, who choose not to act, allow the wrong to happen. Their inaction gives power to the injustice, making them complicit even without directly participating.

Buzov’s action, though ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the executions, becomes symbolic of the potential for individual resistance in the face of injustice. His willingness to speak up, despite the risks, encourages the viewer to ask themselves: would we have the courage to do the same?
The film encourages us to think about our own moral choice and to have a clear stance on what is right and wrong.

By focusing on the passengers who remain silent, and contrasting their behavior with the moral defiance of Tomo Buzov, the film makes us also reflect  about the role of bystanders, both in historical and contemporary contexts.
The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent is a powerful mirror to today's society.
Despite the story being set 30 years ago, it remains strikingly relevant, especially as we witness numerous global catastrophes unfolding, such as the ongoing conflict in Palestine. The genocide, though widely reported, continues with little action taken to ceasefire or bring about meaningful change. Silence in the face of injustice only allows suffering to continue.

It is crucial to use our voices to demand change, raise awareness, and support those who are suffering. Speaking up is not just a moral responsibility, but a necessary act to create a world where injustice cannot thrive.

Renate Dujaković