Review of the Short Film “10 Minutes”

“10 Minutes” is a short film by Ahmed Imamovic. The film uses the frame narrative technique to shows two different stories that have strong contrast. It begins with the frame which is about an Asian tourist in Rome who wants to develop his photographs in a photo shop, and he is waiting under a clock for 10 minutes. Then the scene changes to a family in Sarajevo has the same time of Rome, a mother who is busy with taking care of her baby and cooking asks her elder son Memo to go out and get some water and bread. Memo walks a long way to get food. In his way, he meets a soldier and asks to have a look at his gun. This place is in a war and the situation of Memo looks very dangerous. Finally, he gets home in a hurry but sees the horrible sight that all his families are killed in the firefight.

The sense changes back into the clock. It is 10 minutes after, and the Asian tourist gets his photos which are taken with his family in scenic spots. 10 minutes is a short and leisurely waiting time for the tourist, but for Memo in Sarajevo, 10 minutes changes everything in his life. The film ends with a family photo and relaxing music, but it only emphasize the contrast between two stories and the different fates of protagonists. I think it is really a good way to use frame narrative technique that makes this film more impressive and have enlightenment meanings.