An Exercise in Empathy

The essay examines Ivan Ramljak’s documentary Peacemaker (Mirotvorac, 2025) and raises the question of the utility and morality of seeking out nuances in interpreting the causes of the outbreak of war. I conclude that such nuancing is justified and productive in this particular case, as it successfully challenges unacceptable myths and narratives, while also emphasizing that the film is not a naive glorification of Josip Reihl Kir, but rather a profound reflection on which stories are worth telling to generations living in a world that has emerged from such wars.

The integral version of this article can be found in the printed KINO!