Powder Keg is a high-octane thriller set in war-torn Sarajevo during the mid-1990s. The movie revolves around the lives of a group of foreign journalists trying to uncover the truth behind the civil conflict in the region. The film features a star-studded cast, including Clive Owen, Stellan Skarsgard, and Lois Smith. The movie begins with a reporter, Johanna (played by Lena Olin), arriving in Sarajevo to cover the conflict. She teams up with Marko (Owen), a former special forces soldier turned freelance journalist, to gain access to the frontlines of the war. Marko is an enigmatic figure, hardened by the brutality he's witnessed in the region, and he's initially resistant to Johanna's attempts to work with him.
Meanwhile, we also meet a group of other journalists, including Simone (Rosie Perez) and Mirjana (Jasna Zalica), who are working to expose the atrocities being committed by both sides in the war. They're led by Paul (Skarsgard), a seasoned war correspondent who's been in Sarajevo since the conflict began. Paul is deeply committed to uncovering the truth about what's happening in the region and is willing to risk everything to get the story.
As the journalists navigate the dangers of the war-torn city, they discover that the conflict isn't as black and white as they originally thought. Both sides are engaging in brutal acts of violence and both are unwilling to negotiate or back down. Caught in the middle are the innocent civilians of Sarajevo, who are being butchered by both sides in equal measure.
Tensions mount when the journalists stumble upon evidence that suggests both sides are using Western-made weapons to fuel the conflict. They also discover that a corrupt UN official (played by Smith) is helping to broker deals between the warring factions, turning a blind eye to the massacres happening all around her.
As the truth begins to emerge, the journalists find themselves in grave danger. They're pursued by both sides in the conflict and are forced to take refuge in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city. The tension between the journalists builds as they argue about what to do next. Some of them want to flee the city and publish their findings, while others are determined to stay and bear witness to what's happening in Sarajevo.
Without giving too much away, Powder Keg is a gripping, suspenseful movie that explores the horrors of war and the bravery of those who try to expose them. The performances are top-notch, especially Owen as Marko, who brings a quiet intensity to the role. Skarsgard is also excellent as Paul, conveying both the passion and the desperation of a reporter who's seen too much horror.
The film's direction, by Danish filmmaker Ole Christian Madsen, is taut and effective, with some truly memorable set pieces that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The cinematography, by Jorgen Johansson, is also fantastic, capturing the beauty and the devastation of Sarajevo with equal skill.
All in all, Powder Keg is a must-watch movie for anyone interested in the Bosnian conflict or the role of journalists in war. It's a powerful, emotional film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Powder Keg is a 1998 action movie with a runtime of 8 minutes.