After the war Danis Tanovich admitted that having visited such a poor family, he felt shame for the myths on which he built his attitude towards the Roma all his life. What is important here is not the Roma, but the fact that visiting such a “depressive” place for some reason causes shame in a more prosperous person. It turns out that one can avoid the “invisibles” of society only by internally separating themselves from them with ideas about criminals, drug addicts or, God forbid, Nazi ideas. But when you are just dragging a miserable existence family with two children, the eyes are already open and take them aside is not easy.
“The One in the Life of the Iron Collector” captures the eye – a leisurely immersion into a world where the episode seems like a whole life lived as punishment for past sins. The hopeless everyday life, which can be explained by some crisis, the director does not separate from the criminal indifference of those institutions that are entrusted with the care of the lives of others. Senada needs a simple operation costing several hundred dollars - or she could die. The words "no pay, no surgery" sound like a diagnosis - not to a woman, but to a society that once chose the European path. There is no exaggeration in these words. "This is not a Bosnian problem, this is a European problem," Tanovic said, referring to the desperation and tactics of daily survival. It is significant that the public organization “Better Future”, to which Nazif appeals, is not able to help him. This demonstrates the weakness of civil society exactly where it is obliged to show strength – in places of social disadvantage.
The last bastion of hope in the film is the kindness and mutual help of neighbors and relatives. Nazif, who has already abandoned all hope for a “better future” for the country, says: “I swear, Amir, even during the war it was better.”
7 out of 10
Original