Summary
Highlights
The story opens in Bosnia in 1993. We are introduced to Ivo and his unit, encountering a new officer, Viali, who will command them. Their mission is to guard a strategic location against Serbs, with the added threat of fighting Muslims. The men are warned about the uncertain duration of their deployment and the need to retreat into the mountains if they lose the fight against the Muslims.
The narrative shifts to Bosnia in 1943, introducing Captain Dan Boro, who leads a mission to encircle and massacre a small group of resistance fighters. A soldier, Ferid, is distraught as his family has died from typhus, mirroring a similar tragedy in the 1993 storyline. This segment highlights the recurring nature of conflict and loss in the region.
The unit settles for the night. Ferid, burdened by his family's loss, considers deserting. Martin, another soldier, warns him against it. Later, shots are fired, and Ferid is nowhere to be found, suggesting he attempted to flee. The others are forced to cover up his actions to avoid collective punishment.
The unit navigates through a minefield, with one soldier, Robe, falling victim to an explosion. They discover more bodies, confirming the dangerous nature of their mission and the brutal realities of war. The discovery of an old acquaintance among the dead further complicates the emotional toll on the soldiers.
The unit approaches a place known as the 'Field of the Dead,' a somber location where many have perished. Martin shares a personal story about his grandfather's survival there and the loss of his father, a tobacco smuggler, in the same area. This reveals a deeper, cyclical history of violence and loss connected to the land.
The unit faces an ambush, finding themselves surrounded. They make a desperate attempt to regroup at a designated high point. As Martin runs with the tobacco case, the film emphasizes the themes of survival and the continuous struggle for life amidst chaos. The ending leaves the fate of the remaining soldiers uncertain but highlights their resilience.