Storm (2009)
A Hague war crimes prosecutor fights to keep her case alive when the testimony holding it together starts to crack.
Storm - Movie Information
- Original Title: Storm
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Hans-Christian Schmid
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Bosnian, German, English, Serbian
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 10, 2009 (Germany), March 17, 2010 (France - U)
- Alternative Titles: storm 2009 (PH), Sturm (NL), La Révélation (FR)
- Production Companies: 23/5 Filmproduktion, Zoo Pictures, Deblokada
- Production Countries: Germany, Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Netherlands
Storm - Plot
Hannah Maynard, a prosecutor of Hague's Tribunal for war crimes in former Yugoslavia, charges a Serbian commander for killing Bosniaks. However, her main witness might be lying, so the court sends a team to Bosnia to investigate.
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Storm - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hans-Christian Schmid
Main Cast
- Kerry Fox
- Anamaria Marinca
- Stephen Dillane
- Rolf Lassgård
- Alexander Fehling
- Tarik Filipović
- Krešimir Mikić
- Steven Scharf
- Joel Eisenblätter
- Wine Dierickx
Writers
- Hans-Christian Schmid
- Bernd Lange
Producers
- Marie Gade Denessen
- Jeroen Beker
- Frans van Gestel
- Bettina Brokemper
- Hans-Christian Schmid
Storm - FAQs
What is Storm (2009) about?
Storm follows Hannah Maynard, a determined prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. When her key witness in a war crimes case against a Serbian commander appears to be lying, she travels to Bosnia to uncover the truth — putting justice, politics, and her own career on the line.
Is Storm based on real events at The Hague?
Storm is a fictional drama, but it draws heavily on the real workings of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague. The film reflects genuine procedural tensions and ethical dilemmas that prosecutors and witnesses faced during actual war crimes trials following the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s.
What role does Anamaria Marinca play in Storm?
Anamaria Marinca plays Mira Arendt, the Bosnian witness at the center of the case. Her character's credibility becomes the linchpin of the entire prosecution. Marinca, widely praised for her role in 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, delivers a quietly powerful performance that anchors much of the film's emotional weight.
How does Storm portray international war crimes justice?
The film offers a nuanced, often critical look at international justice — showing how institutional pressures, political considerations, and fragile witness testimony can undermine even the most righteous prosecutions. It questions whether The Hague's machinery truly serves survivors or simply performs justice for a global audience.
Who directed Storm and what is his style?
Storm was directed by Hans-Christian Schmid, a German filmmaker known for socially engaged, character-driven dramas. His style favors restraint over spectacle — intimate close-ups, naturalistic performances, and a documentary-like atmosphere. Earlier works like Requiem and Distant Lights show the same commitment to moral complexity and quiet intensity.
Who are the main actors in Storm?
The cast is led by Kerry Fox as prosecutor Hannah Maynard and Anamaria Marinca as witness Mira Arendt. They're joined by Stephen Dillane, Rolf Lassgård, and Alexander Fehling in key supporting roles. The ensemble spans several nationalities, reflecting the multinational reality of The Hague's tribunal environment.
How was Storm received by critics?
Storm earned solid critical praise, particularly for its performances and its thoughtful handling of a complex subject. Critics highlighted Kerry Fox and Anamaria Marinca as standouts, and the film was appreciated for avoiding courtroom melodrama in favor of a grounded, morally serious examination of international justice and survivor trauma.
What are some films similar to Storm?
If Storm resonated with you, try Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams (2006) for another intimate look at Bosnian war trauma, Music Box (1989) for a gripping war crimes courtroom drama, or Harrison's Flowers (2000) for a powerful portrayal of the Balkan conflict. Anatomy of a Murder (1959) is a classic for legal-moral complexity.
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