Written and directed by Sabina Vajraca, in Nazi-occupied Bosnia, a Muslim woman risks her life to save her Jewish friends and is saved by them in turn 50 years later. Starring: Helena Vukovic, Adnan Haskovic, Rijad Gvozden, Muhamed Hadzovic, Snezana Vidovic, Frano Maskovic, Sanela Krsmanovic and Emina Muftic.
In times of war simple acts of humanity divide people between being heroes and monsters. Throughout history countless people have faced persecution and almost certain death but precious few of them have been saved by the actions of fellow citizens, willing to put themselves at risk to do the right thing. Sevap/Mitzvah explores that exact moment, seeing someone in immediate danger and giving them an escape.
It’s an undeniably touching story, it has tension, heart and compassion. However, the choice to then move ahead fifty years feels somewhat jarring, although the tone is consistent, maybe to a fault because the transition throws off the film’s impact. Perhaps it’s a choice that simply felt too formulaic or pushing the emotional, sentimental button too hard, making it become less organic.
The cinematography does a wonderful job of capturing that earlier era. It has a softened colour palette which is utterly suited to the 1940s. Sabina Vajraca’s direction leans into the tense, suspenseful aspects to the story without losing touch with its grounded foundation. It also doesn’t attempt to unfold the complexities behind this story, which would be a gargantuan task you couldn’t complete within such a short time. Instead letting the audience fill that side in, while focusing on the personal aspect which is explored with a great ensemble who give moving and compelling performances.
Sevap/Mitzvah captures the classic decision between self-preservation and doing the right thing, the moment where fear battles compassion. It’s a wonderful example of the type of humanity you’d hope that everyone would have, although sadly that will never be the case. Helena Vukovic leads the film with a powerful portrayal which is ended sweetly with Emina Muftic’s performance as the older version of her character. It can fall a tad too far into sentimentality and the fast forwarding of time feels hit and miss but it’s a great story to tell.
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