Fuse
(2003)
Picture:
C Sound: C+ Extras: C Film: B-
A comedy
about the end of a civil war in Bosnia, Pjer Zalica’s Fuse (2003) is about how a recently war-torn town decides the put
on the “Ritz” and “dog” when they hear President Clinton is going to
visit. Even with sudden massive good
intentions, there are gangster types and corrupt persons within government who
will not be as ambitious to make things look good and that could blow it for
everyone.
Though
some of this is predicable, but is also fun because everyone is good here and
there is a certain level of offbeat wackiness with a dark undertone considering
all the killing that had just happening.
That these people all conspire to essentially “ethnically cleanse”
everything for money or reputation just because someone major will visit a
place who would never come otherwise is sad and falls under the “comedy is a
serious business” category. The more you
realize the history, the more Fuse has
a darker undertone. You could ignore it,
but that would catch up with you sooner or later. It is definitely worth a look.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image was shot on a newer video of some kind
and has certain slight noise and detail limits throughout. Video Black is a problem, as is detail
throughout, not as a stylish choice, but the way it is. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Bosnian/Serbo-Croatian
soundtrack is in stereo, but has no real surrounds. It is still better than the picture and helps
this to be more watchable. Extras
include materials about other Global Lens releases (text & trailer),
DVD-ROM discussion guide, stills, text director’s introduction and biography.
- Nicholas Sheffo
