While the first trailer for In the Land of Blood and Honey is in English, the war drama by writer/director Angelina Jolie will be released in the native language of Bosnia. Although it was shot in both the native language of Bosnia (Bosanski/Hrvatski/Srpski or BHS) as well as English, Jolie decided to go with the more authentic version. The film will obviously have English subtitles for those of us who don’t speak BHS, or Serbian-Croatian, as it was known during the war.
Jolie’s directorial debut, In the Land of Blood and Honey is set against the Bosnian War of the 1990s, in which the conflicted relationship of Ajla (Zana Marjanovic) and Danijel (Goran Kostic – Taken) evolves. The film opens in New York and Los Angeles on December 23rd, but you have until January to brush up on your BHS when In the Land of Blood and Honey widens its release. Hit the jump for more.
News of In the Land of Blood and Honey’s release in BHS comes via Deadline. FilmDistrict’s Peter Schlessel and Bob Berney sided with Jolie in her decision to release the film in Bosnia’s native tongue. In a statement by Jolie, she said the following:
“I’m honored that FilmDistrict has chosen to release the film in the United States in the original BHS language version. It was always my hope that U.S. audiences would have the opportunity to experience this version.”
Since the film was initially shot in both languages, it’s possible that the English version could be released in some territories overseas. English-language versions are also likely to appear on VOD services and DVDs/Blu-rays after the film’s release. The film also stars Rade Serbedzija (Snatch). If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the trailer for In the Land of Blood and Honey below: