Edit filter log

'{{Infobox film | name = Mirka | image =Mirkaposter1.jpg | caption = Promotional poster | director = Rachid Benhadj | producer = Piero Amati | writer = Rachid Benhadj | starring = [[Vanessa Redgrave]]<br />[[Gérard Depardieu]]<br/>[[Sergio Rubini]]<br/>[[Franco Nero]] | music = | cinematography = [[Vittorio Storaro]] | editing = Anna Rosa Napoli | distributor = Mikado film | released = '''[[Italy]]'''<br/>10 March 2000<br/>'''[[Spain]]'''<br/>9 June 2000 | runtime = 107 minutes | country = Italy<br/>France<br/>Spain | language = [[Italian language|Italian]] | budget = | gross = }} '''''Mirka''''' is a 2000 [[drama film]] starring [[Vanessa Redgrave]] and [[Gérard Depardieu]]. The international co-production was written and directed by [[Algeria]]n-born filmmaker Rachid Benhadj. Although countries are unnamed, several publications make reference to the film as a document of [[Bosnian Genocide]].<ref name=ita/> It was released in Italy on 10 March 2000 and received its international premiere at the [[Thessaloniki International Film Festival]] on 21 November 2005. ==Plot== Mirka is searching for his mother in an unidentified [[Balkan]] nation, he is befriended by Strix (Depardieu) who promises to help. Kalsan (Redgrave) is surprised at the sudden arrival of Mirka, a foreign child in her midst. In a turn of events, it emerges that he is her grandson. Unlike the villagers that participated in a silent [[infanticide]] against ethnic rape children, Kalsan saved Mirka and took him to a city orphanage. The tragic story is unveiled by Kalsan's niece, Elena who became pregnant with Mirka after being the victim of an ethnic [[war rape]]. Elena has long believed her child to be dead so his appearance shakes the fabric of the household.<ref>[http://www.film.com/movies/mirka/14703338 Mirka] Film.com. Retrieved on 4 September 2010</ref><ref>[http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/193551/Mirka/overview Mirka (2000)] New York Times. Retrieved on 4 September 2010</ref> Mirka's ethnicity leads to his persecution by the villagers.<ref name=pc>{{cite book|year=2005|first=Roy|last=Armes|title=Postcolonial images: studies in North African film|publisher=Indiana University Press}}</ref> ==Cast== *[[Vanessa Redgrave]] as Kalsan *[[Gérard Depardieu]] as Strix *Karim Benhadj as Mirka *[[Barbora Bobuľová]] as Elena *[[Sergio Rubini]] as Helmut *Michele Melega as Tico *[[Franco Nero]] *[[Arnaldo Ninchi]] *Sandro Dori ==Production== The Italian-French-Spanish co-production was shot in 1999 in [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]]. The director, Rachid Benhadj cast his son, Karim in the titular role. The film also received funding from the Italian government and the Euroimages Fund of the [[Council of Europe]].<ref>[http://www.iann.it/film/Critiche.asp?IdFilm=2170 Mirka] il Giornale. 19 March 2000. '''Italian'''</ref> Benhadj described his reasoning for the narrative, "History repeats itself against women. They are victims of violence and rape in war and in emergency situations".<ref name=ita>{{cite book|year=2005|first=Graziella|last=Parati|title=Migration Italy: the art of talking back in a destination culture |publisher=University of Toronto Press}}</ref> ==Reception== Alberto Crespi of ''[[l'Unità]]'' described the film as "timeless", enforcing that the strength of the film lies in the violent nature of the circumstances. The newspaper felt that some of the international casting was unsettling but felt Redgrave gave a good performance. Although Crespi felt Bobulova was perfectlty cast in the role of Elena. He also praised Benhadj's "intense" performance as the titular character and described it as a "generous" film.<ref>[http://www.iann.it/film/Critiche.asp?IdFilm=2170 Mirka] l'Unità. 11 March 2000. '''Italian'''</ref> Roberto Nepoti of ''[[la Repubblica]]'' said it was the first film to show how ethnic rape is used as a weapon to "pollute" a biological race and ensure the dominance of another. Nepoti praised Redgrave's "committed" performance, miroring her real-life battles in defence of civilization. He continued to praise the casting of Bobulova, Benhadj and Rubini as well as the cinematography of Storato. He also praised the director for going against the traditional mould of Yugoslavan war films, and instead creating a more universal film.<ref>[http://www.iann.it/film/Critiche.asp?IdFilm=2170 Mirka] la Repubblica. 19 March 2000. '''Italian'''</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * {{IMDb title|id=0174027|title=Mirka (2000)}} [[Category:Italian-language films]] [[Category:2000s drama films]] [[Category:Italian films]] [[Category:Italian drama films]] [[Category:Films about race and ethnicity]] [[Category:Films shot in Italy]]'