Film Review: Valley of Peace (Dolina miru, 1956)

At the 1956 Pula Film Festival, two films that explored the repercussions of World War II on children competed for the prestigious Golden Arena. While Branko Bauer's Don't Turn Back, My Son ultimately took home the prize and became a beloved Yugoslav film, its competitor, Valley of Peace, directed by France Štiglic, received more international prominence and made history when it premiered at Cannes Film Festival the following year.

The plot of unfolds in German-occupied Slovenia. Two children, Marko (played by Tugo Štiglic), an ethnic Slovene, and Lotti (played by Evelyne Wohlfheir), an ethic German, lose their parents in Allied bombing raids. In orphanage Lotti retells stories her late grandmother told about valley there wasn’t any war. Marko believes that valley is place in the mountains where his uncle lives. Two of them use chaos of created by another raid to escape and start travelling to their imaginary place of peace and safety. Along their journey, they befriend Jim (John Kitzmiller), a downed African American pilot who becomes their protector. As they traverse through the countryside, Jim is sought both by German soldiers and Partisans.

Inspired by the classic French film Forbidden Games, Štiglic, known as the author of Na svoji zemlji, first Slovenian feature film, wears his anti-war message on his sleeve. Those sentiments are clear at the beginning, with a scene depicting street fight between Hitler Youth and Slovene boys that is interrupted by an air raid, during which both factions hunker down in fear. Through friendship between Slovene boy and German girl, Štiglic implicitly promotes concept of reconciliation between wartime foes, something that required a little courage with Second World War being only a decade in the past and some of psychological wounds still fresh.

Initially, Štiglic had envisioned setting his anti-war message in Korea, country divided by more recent but equally brutal conflict, further emphasizing the global anxiety surrounding the potential for another war that, this time, could end civilisation and humanity. However, logistical and financial constraints led him to use World War II-era Slovenia instead. This decision ultimately works in favor of the film, as the beautiful Slovenian countryside, captured through black-and-white cinematography by Rudi Vaupotič, provides a stark contrast to the destruction and violence depicted on screen.

The cast of Valley of Peace is one of its greatest strengths. Tugo Štiglic, director’s son who would later make direct children’s film, delivers a solid performance as Marko, while Evelyne Wolfheiler, who would later work as film editor in Germany, shines as Lotti. It is John Kitzmiller, African American actor who made his career in post-WW2 European cinema and later became known as James Bond’s sidekick Quarrell in Dr. No, who makes the best impression. His performance earned the Best Actor Award at Cannes, making him the first black person to receive it and also bring such major prize to Slovenian and Yugoslav cinema.

Štiglic directs the film with a quick pace, despite its relatively short running time. However, some creative decisions, such as the heavy-handed symbolism and pathos towards the end of the film, fall flat, particularly due to Marjan Kozina's aggressive soundtrack. Fortunately, the ambiguous and downbeat ending leaves a lasting emotional impact that remains relevant today.

Valley of Peace is a very good film that merits recommendation not only for its historical significance but also as a powerful reminder of the harsh truths that continue to resonate in our troubled world.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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