Directed by:
Larysa KondrackiCinematography:
Kieran McGuiganComposer:
Mychael DannaCast:
Rachel Weisz, Vanessa Redgrave, Monica Bellucci, David Strathairn, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Roxana Condurache, Paula Schramm, Alexandru Potocean, William Hope (more)Plots(1)
Inspired by actual events. Hard up Nebraska Police Office Kathryn Bolkovac (Academy Award®-winner Rachel Weisz) accepts a well-paying UN peacekeeping job courtesy of a private military contractor working on behalf of the UN. She arrives in post-war Bosnia expecting a harmonized international effort, but instead finds chaos and disorder against a back drop of simmering ethnic tensions. When a brutally injured young woman lands in the UN's care, Kathryn risks her own safety as she unearths an organised and brutal underworld of sex trafficking. Despite attempts to thwart her investigation and threats on her life she fights to uncover the truth and traces the path of criminality to a shocking source. (High Fliers Films)
(more)Reviews (3)
The Whistleblower could have turned out much worse. A happy ending was directly offered, as we have seen many stories where a fighter with villainy intervenes in hopeless situations and is able to attract others and deal with evil. Fortunately, the creators stayed grounded and a sympathetic television film was created, which condemns the trafficking of women and corruption of international institutions. It is completely understandable that the filmmakers needed an international star to attract attention to the project. However, it is a bit unfortunate that they chose Rachel Weisz. In my opinion, she is not suitable for the role of an uncompromising tough policewoman (like the female equivalent of Serpico). Add to that the somewhat cheap flattery towards the American audience (yes, a few noble phrases about the integrity of the American judicial system and authorities made the corners of my mouth twitch) and it amounts to a strong three stars. Overall impression: 65%.
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What’s better than abusing power? Abusing power and being exempt from the law... Although it might not seem so, the form softens the real cruelty and simplifies the bureaucratic aspect, but what good does that do when, due to creative limitations and literalness, it limps behind a strong premise? However, Weisz strides with a proud and upright gait. Of course, one shouldn’t generalize, but the toothlessness and often harmful nature of the entire UN is becoming notorious. Just look at the Russian representative to the Security Council, Vasily Nebenzya, who lost a hair for every lie he shamelessly told.
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It is possible to make an excellent film on a shoestring. Rachel plays for dear life in a drama that only confirms there’ll always be assholes, and that most of them hide behind immunity.
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