 | | | Photos provided | | | | | | The movie presented this October by the International Film Showcase in Orinda tells a real story that happened under the radar of the Cold War. It is a story of courage and selflessness, of how the human spirit can manifest at its best, even in times of turmoil. It is definitely an optimistic story, an ode to humanity.
"Guardians of the Formula" takes place in 1958, in the middle of the Cold War. Yugoslavia, under Tito's dictatorship, was communist but had strayed from the orbit of the Soviets. It was a leader of the non-aligned movement (the founding countries were Indonesia, India, Yugoslavia, Egypt, and Ghana). So, when a group of Yugoslav scientists get irradiated when working on a secret nuclear project, they are not sent to the U.S.S.R., but to the Curie Institute in France. There, under the direction of Professors MathÇ and Jammet, a race against time is engaged, until no other hope is left but attempting an untried and completely new treatment.
This real story was kept relatively secret during the Cold War, and is still largely ignored in France and now Serbia-Croatia- Bosnia Herzegovina. Serb movie director Dragan Bjelogrlic is revealing both a historical mystery and the tale of a huge medical advancement that has had an impact on millions of people all over the world since.
The movie is mostly in French with English subtitles, and features a mixed cast of French and Serb actors. The film is shot like a thriller, with flashbacks taking place in both Yugoslavia and France, that unwind the events that have led to this dramatic situation. Meanwhile, the tension increases behind the hospital closed doors where all non-essential personal has been removed. The location - large cathedral like volume, sparkling whiteness everywhere - creates a dramatic effect, like a classical tragedy. This formal and sober approach, even in the way the actors play, give a simple and solemn grandeur to the acts of bravery that will manifest in the middle of the tragedy.
It is the extraordinary solidarity that can unite people beyond borders and ideology that is the main strength of this film. In the press documents released in France, the movie Director said that as he neared his 50s, he started losing his faith in humanity. He then decided to look for good in humans, and to show it in films, whatever the harsh reality we might be living in. "In this film, I explored how a formula of death can become a formula of life," he said.
The treatment that the scientists received has become a staple of the cure for leukemia. The fact that this extraordinary break-through was barely publicized was probably due to the political context of the time. Bjelogrlic repaired this omission with talent, giving us hope through this extraordinary movie that has received acclaims all over the world.
The movie will open at the Orinda Theater on Oct. 18 for at least one week. Times and tickets at Orindamovies.com, more information about the non-profit International Film Showcase at internationalshowcase.org. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA