Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) "Shok" is a 22-minute live action short film from 2015 written and directed by British filmmaker Jamie Donoughue. However, looking at where this film plays, there is no English language in here, so you will most likely need subtitles. It is the story of two friends living in the Kosovo during wartime. This war is already over for quite a while, but this movie shows that with the right approach and script, it's still very much possible to make (engaging) (short) films about this dark subject. The complicated political and military situations puts the boys' friendship to risk on several occasions, but all that unites them is stronger eventually and goes way beyond the love for bikes when it comes to what they have in common. I think the acting here is solid overall, the fatter kid gives the best performance in the film. It sure is a depressing watch as well, but I guess it still depicts life in Kosovo realistically and death was a crucial component to living in this "country" at that point in time later in the 20th century. All in all, probably not an Oscar-deserving short film, but I don't mind the nomination. In terms of the quality, it is on a similar level like the winner "Stutterer", even if the subjects couldn't be more different. Worth checking out.

Steve Pulaski Shok takes place during the brutal Kosovo War, a war which divided Albanians and Serbians. Writer/director Jamie Donoughue showcases the war through the eyes of two young Albanian boys, Petrit and Oki (Lum Veseli and Andi Bajgora), who are harassed by Serbian soldiers one day, which results in Petrit making a deal with one of the soldiers that involves selling Oki's bicycle. Disgusted at his friends' compliance with the enemy, the two briefly separate before realizing that they are all they have in a war-torn land.Rather than revolving around a coming of age narrative that is ripe for yet another tired showcase of innocence lost, Donoughue is diligent with emphasizing friendship and the need for trusting someone when everyone but your family seems like the enemy. There is a constant feeling of dread throughout the entire picture, and just when you feel the short will end rather inconsequentially, it hits you with a riveting and unexpected sequence that will affect the lives of the boys forever.Shok nicely paces itself in that it almost forces you to let your guard down as a viewer, forgetting to expect the unexpected, before hitting you with an emotional punch that comes effectively in the latter half of the short. While Donoughue enters the narrative from a fairly easy point of entry - focusing on two young, innocent boys - comes with a story to tell and not with an agenda, which is all too easy to do with short films like this one. It's all worth it for that riveting and heartwrenching final shot that feels burned into my retina, at least temporarily.

film_person007 8.7Rounds up to 8.So simply put this film was close to flawless (except how was the bike just sitting in the middle of the road? they should of put it in a field and had them hiking around to find it just one small thing) however, shouldn't the energy and resources put into film be used to impose justice on the war-crime committed?I'm sure making the film is cathartic but I was left wondering, if this really happened to a friend of mine, I would of spend my entire life trying to find who did that to my friend and get him arrested, tried and convicted for a war-crime. I do really appreciate the talent of the filmmakers, but I'm not sure their efforts in this medium are correct or appropriate given their past circumstances. Again I digress and ask, if they had the means to pull something like this short film off, couldn't they transfuse that same effort and money into imposing justice on the wrongs done in the past which this film depicts?

Carl Currie www.moviemakeouts.com I was able to see this film locally thanks to the Manhattan Short Film Festival. Simply put, this is an excellent, if not tragic tale. It was directed wonderfully and gives a glimpse into a conflict few American reflect on. The small part of the Kosovo conflict as seen thru eyes of children is very well crafted. The child actors give strong performances. The only criticism I could give the film is that for someone unfamiliar with The Kosovo Conflict (as I was) may be at a loss as to which faction is which. As it is not a war movie, but a slice of life of one family, and a particular family friend, the officials on various levels, are not easy to identify. While it's difficult beyond this to expound upon the plot of a short film, I suggest you take the time to see it.