Goodness. As someone who makes much of her work with the refugees of various conflicts, it makes sense that Angelina would eventually wish to backward integrate and begin causing conflicts herself. But that doesn't seem to have been the aim in this case. Apparently, Bosnian politicians and women's groups are not charmed by suggestions that the movie's plot features a Bosnian Muslim woman who falls in love with a Serbian soldier who raped her during the conflict.
"Among thousands of testimonies by women raped during the war," fumes the Women Victims of War association in Sarajevo, "There is not a single one that tells of a love story between a victim and her rapist."
Well, that's the sort of romance people go to the movies for – or as Angelina responds: "any dramatic interpretation will always fail those who have had a real experience." Which is fair enough. I know a lot of real-life husband-and-wife assassins felt totally let down by the way Mr & Mrs Smith cheapened their profession.
Meanwhile, there is also Serbian disquiet, with one tabloid headline raging: "Angelina Jolie portrays Serbs as evil."
So although her ban on filming in Bosnia has now been overturned, Angelina is on the defensive. "There are many twists in the plot that address the sensitive nature of the relationship between the main characters," she stated this week. "My hope is that people will hold judgement until they have seen the film." Yes, this touchiness doesn't become anyone. Fortunately, the movie's producer Edin Sarcik is miles less wishy-washy. Branding the emotional debate "unnecessary", he points out: "It's a big thing for Bosnia that such a mega-mega-star is coming to Sarajevo."
Indeed. Don't look a celebrity angle in the mouth, Bosnia! The ingratitude of some countries is quite astounding, and we look forward to Angelina dragging the artless yokels up to speed.
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