Ordinary People, Extraordinary Circumstances

Despite its unfiltered images of the Bosnian War, the message of Zlata's Diary is ultimately uplifting. It shows the strength of the human spirit, and the never-say-die unbreakable will of a community. Zlata's friends and neighbors band together to provide the support they all need to get through war. One aspect of this support is practical. By pooling resources, combining food, sharing water and electricity, etc., the community does what it needs to in order to provide for its members. The Bobars freely share their well-fortified cellar with their neighbors, and another neighbor shares electricity with Zlata's family. On the other hand, Zlata's family shares their wood-burning stove with the neighborhood so that cooking is possible in times when electricity is out. This demonstrates the generosity in the citizens of Sarajevo.

The other aspect of the community is moral and emotional support. Those who remain...