Watch The Waiting Room

The Waiting Room is a poignant and gripping drama from 2015 that explores the themes of family, identity, and the immigrant experience. The movie is directed by Igor Drljaca and stars Jasmin Geljo, Filip Geljo, and Masa Lizdek. The film takes place in Toronto and follows the story of Jasmin (Jasmin Geljo), a Bosnian refugee who has been living in Canada for over 20 years. Jasmin is a hard-working man who values his family over everything else. He has two children, 16-year-old Džanan (Filip Geljo) and 10-year-old Linda (Masa Lizdek), who were born and raised in Canada. His wife has recently passed away, and Jasmin is struggling to cope with the loss.

As the movie unfolds, we see the impact of Jasmin's grief on his relationship with his children. Džanan, a rebellious teenager, is deeply resentful of his father, who he feels has never truly understood him. He is also struggling with his own identity – as the child of immigrants, he feels caught between two cultures and doesn't know where he belongs. Linda, on the other hand, is a sensitive and perceptive child who is trying to understand the complexities of the world around her.

The core of the movie takes place in a waiting room of a hospital. Jasmin's estranged brother Azur (played by the director himself) is scheduled to undergo a surgery, and Jasmin has come to the hospital to support him. However, as they wait for Azur's surgery to be over, Jasmin and his children are forced to confront their past, their present, and their future.

The film is a quiet and intimate one, with long takes and minimal dialogue. The cinematography is striking, with the muted colors and dim lighting creating a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. The movie does an excellent job of capturing the rhythms of everyday life – the small moments of tenderness and frustration that make up family dynamics.

The performances in The Waiting Room are exceptional, and each member of the cast delivers a nuanced and affecting portrayal of their characters. Jasmin Geljo is particularly impressive as Jasmin, delivering a complex and layered performance that captures the character's pain and vulnerability.

Overall, The Waiting Room is a powerful and moving movie that explores the complexities of family, identity, and the immigrant experience. It offers a nuanced and sensitive portrayal of its characters and their struggles, and is a testament to the power of cinema to reflect and illuminate the human experience.