The Whistleblower (R) 7.5

The Whistleblower (2010): A drama based on the experiences of Kathryn Bolkovac, a Nebraska cop who served as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia and outed the U.N. for covering up a sex scandal. (7.1)

Director: Larysa Kondracki
Writers: Larysa Kondracki, Eilis Kirwan
Stars: Rachel Weisz, Monica Bellucci and Vanessa Redgrave

The story in this movie involves heavy subject matter such as human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and the role of UN and other international organizations and their the security contractors. The main character has a back-story that probably didn't fit all that well into the main theme of the movie; then again, if not for that, this would have looked a lot like a documentary. Some of the images are quite gruesome. The director's decision to portray the reality the way it is should be commendable. Why is it that some people abuse other human beings that way? I guess, when money and power corrupt a man, he can do pretty inhumane things, as can be seen in these pictures. News stories about human/sex trafficking and abuses come out of all parts of the world, not just former war zones. Do we all not have blood on our hands, so to speak, by not doing much as a society? The story and the images in this movie will haunt you for a long time. Rachel Weisz is very good in the role of the whistleblower. A lot had been filmed in Eastern Europe and many of the scenes looked quite real; credit to attention to detail. Sometimes I had trouble keeping track of who is who on the screen, then again, that could just be me. A good movie with a strong message. My Rating: 7.5