The Hunting Party (2007)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Richard Shepard

Writers (WGA):

Richard Shepard (written by)
Scott Anderson (article)

Release Date:

14 September 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Thriller | War

Tagline:

How can they find the world's most wanted war criminal when the C.I.A. can't? [by actually looking]

Plot:

A young journalist, a seasoned cameraman and a discredited war correspondent embark on an unauthorized mission to find the no...

Plot Keywords:

Bosnia | CIA | Hunt | War Criminal | Journalist

Cast

Terrence Howard	...	Duck
Richard Gere	...	Simon Hunt
Gordana Vukres	...	Girl at Awards Ceremony
James Brolin	...	Franklin Harris
Sanela Seferagic	...	Sexy Assistant
Damir Saban	...	Gert
Aleksandra Grdic	...	TriBeCa Loft Girl
Jesse Eisenberg	...	Benjamin Strauss
John W. Falk	...	Journalist #1
Scott Anderson	...	Journalist #2
Harald Doornbos	...	Journalist #3
Philippe Deprez	...	Journalist #4
Erich Rathfelder	...	Journalist #5
Zan Marolt	...	Journalist #6
Ljubomir Kerekes	...	The Fox

Also Known As:

Lov u Bosni (Croatia)
Proljece u Bosni (Bosnia and Herzegovina: Croatian title) (working title)
Spring Break in Bosnia (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language and some violent content.

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA | Croatia | Bosnia and Herzegovina

Language:

English | Serbo-Croatian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R | Australia:MA (2007) | Germany:12 | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:13 | Singapore:M18 (cut) | Hong Kong:IIB | Brazil:14 | Iceland:12 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | New Zealand:R16

Filming Locations:

Duga Resa, Croatia

Company:

Intermedia

Trivia:

The book named ''A Short History of the Bosnian Conflict'' which was thrown away in the bar scene, is a fake prop one.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: The UN mission ended in 20 December 1995 when NATO took over (IFOR/SFOR). In 2000 there should have been SFOR flags instead of the UN flags, SFOR patches, not UN and no blue berets. Military vehicles should have their national camouflage painting and SFOR markings. This is for NATO/SFOR details. The UN Mission (UNMIBH) was still active during the time this film depicts and the UNMIBH personnel and equipment are accurate - specifically the blue berets and UN vehicles for the UN International Police Task Force personnel in Foca.

Quotes:

CIA Operative: Let me ask you a question. why would you think the CIA would want to let a war criminal go?
Simon: Let me ask you a question. In five years, why has the CIA, the Hague, the United Nations and NATO not been able to find a guy that we found in just two days, if you actually wanted to find him?

Movie Connections:

References "Star Trek" (1966)

Soundtrack:

Welcome Marsch

Excellent satire

Many people have a problem with this movie due to its political stance. Myself, being from Bosnia and Herzegovina could possibly mean that I would be biased toward this movie. But first let us look at it from the technical perspective.

The movie is very well done. There is a quiet long prologue in the beginning that eases the audience in. If you'd like to compare it to something, compare it to Snatch or Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. It's gritty and feels independent. Pacing and editing work hand in hand which compels for a good viewing. Personally I was blown away by both Terrence Howard and Richard Gere. Both of them give layered, almost nuanced performances, and their characters are very true to life. Many many props to the writer and the director.

From the political perspective, I wish the movie ended like this in real life. Radovan Karadzic (in this movie called Bogdanovic) was a murderer, thief and a sadist, and he still remains at large, even today publishing books and plays. The movie brings up a good point. How come the all powerful united countries of the world, starting with USA, France, England and going to Germany cannot find a dirty rat like Karadzic in a country size of West Virginia. It is not that they can't, but they won't. The movie doesn't beat around the bush (thank you for this Mr. Shepard), but it rather takes a strong stance on the side of justice, common sense and humanity. It states some very obvious terms such as, that there is a possibility that the western nations have struck a deal with Karadzic, if he stops fighting, he won't be captured.

The movie is full of heart, emotion. it is funny, sad, gritty and full of hope.

Again, my hat's off to you Mr. Shepard