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Set in the Sarajevan suburb of Grbavica, Esma's Secret is rooted in the loving yet volatile relationship between cash-strapped nightclub waitress Esma (Mirjana Karanovic) and her tomboy 12-year-old Sara (Luna Mijovic), whose need for her soldier dad's death certificate leads to the titular secret being spilled. If the revelation is a little rushed, its impact still resonates.
Long before we learn the truth, Karanovic's quietly deft performance reveals subtle signs of a painful past. Fine work also comes from newcomer Mijovic as the restless, rebellious pre-teen who's allowed to go on a school trip for free, providing she can supply the necessary documentation proving that her father was a 'shaheed', or war martyr. Esma decides to raise the fee herself rather than wade into bureaucratic hassles; in the meantime, she forms a tentative relationship with co-worker Pelda (Leon Lucev), while Sara gets friendly with firearm-owning fellow student Samir (Kenan Catic).
"LEAVES THE BIG REVEAL TOO CLOSE TO THE END"
As engaging as these story strands are, they're not the most important business at hand. Trouble is, the film leaves the big reveal too close to the closing credits for comfort. We're out of time before the full implications of Esma's secret have been properly explored. Nevertheless, there's still room for Karanovic to deliver a deeply affecting monologue - and for Zbanic to craft a convincing portrait of how ordinary people strive to get on with their lives in the wake of terrible conflict.
