For Those Who Can Tell No Tales

New Showbiz Analysis

Jasmila Žbanić’s drama shifts the lens from military action to civilian trauma by following Kym, an Australian tourist. Her journey through Višegrad transforms a simple vacation into a confrontation with historical genocide. The narrative relies on local women’s testimonies to ground the story in specific, lived experiences of sexual violence and displacement. This approach centers female perspectives on war trauma, offering a distinct counterpoint to typical conflict narratives. The use of an outsider protagonist allows the film to examine the burden of historical memory without relying on familiar war-hero archetypes. The focus remains on how systemic failures of state and military institutions destroyed community bonds. While the film excels in portraying ethnic and cultural history, it offers limited representation for LGBTQ+ identities and disability. The absence of these groups is noted, though the primary focus remains on the specific experiences of women during the conflict. The result is a strong, authentic portrayal that prioritizes gender and ethnic context over broader demographic inclusion.