Pauli - Sarajevo, A city in ruins

In 1992 the city of Sarajevo was seized by Bosnian forces. During the four year war approximately 10,000 people died, most of which were civilians. Both the movie, Welcome to Sarajevo, and the novel The Cellist of Sarajevo try to capture the personal stories of various victims.

The Cellist of Sarajevo, by Steven Galloway tells the story of four victims that are caught in the Bosnian War. For example, Dragan who has sent his son and wife away to safety, tries to make it through the streets without being shot. He often thinks about his family and how life would be if he left his city behind. Kenan lives with his wife and son. Every few days he must venture out into the city to retrieve water for his family and awful neighbor. Kenan lives in fear each time he leaves to get water, not knowing if he will make it back. Arrow is a young woman who is a sniper for the forces within the city. She is torn between her previous life before the war and her current situation. Finally, the cellist connects the three individuals with his music. The cellist witnesses the murder of twenty-two friends and neighbors. To honor each one lost, he plays for twenty-two days in the city unprotected.

The Cellist of Sarajevo, gives insight into not only genocide but the loss of a city. Each individual is affected by the killings. People could not even walk the streets without being in constant fear. The people in the novel have to make the choice to survive and live only for themselves or help others even if it means death for them. Kenan gets water for his family and his neighbor. He choses to not let the war take away his humanity. Similar to the way the cellist holds onto humanity by honoring the people who were murdered. Thus, his playing is his way of revolting against the war. The citizens are trying to cope with the changes within their city. The lives they once knew to how they are living in the war.

Welcome to Sarajevo, directed by Michael Winterbottom is a film that depicts the Bosnian war. Journalist Michael Henderson goes to Sarajevo to find stories. Henderson learns of an orphanage with children who live on the edge of danger. The little concern individuals within the city and outside of the country have for these children is extremely alarming. Henderson cannot seem to leave the "story" alone and becomes attached to saving the children. The writer actually goes to the lenght of taking a girl, Emira back with him to England illegally.

It is interesting how the film is shot from an outsiders perspective. While Henderson is only a reporter, only meant to deliver information about the war, he cannot help himself from caring about the children. It is important to note how an individual can transform into a hero simply by caring and helping another. Henderson risks his life for the young girl, while others choose to not even believe there is a strong need for assistance in Sarajevo.