The Chicken (2014)

In the war-torn heart of 1993 Sarajevo, young Selma celebrates her sixth birthday. Unlike many girls her age who dream of being princesses, Selma's existence is steeped in the harsh realism of daily struggles and skirmishes outside her apartment building. Amidst this stark backdrop, Selma's father, battling on the front lines, sends her an unconventional birthday surprise - a live chicken, intended to replace the traditional cake he can't provide. The fowl gift stirs a whirlwind of emotions as Selma's mother, Sabina, and her older sister, Azra, plan to slaughter the chicken for a birthday feast, honoring their father's intent. Yet, Selma's innocent heart forms a bond with the creature. She yearns to rescue the chicken, even contemplating keeping it as an unusual pet, a glimmer of life amidst the rubble of their existence. As Selma embarks on a daring mission to save her feathered friend from the dinner table, she unwittingly sets into motion a series of events with dire consequences. In a desperate attempt to recover the wayward chicken, Sabina finds herself in the crosshairs of a sniper's scope, her life precariously hanging in the balance. "The Chicken" is a poignant narrative, a slice of life in a war-torn setting, where a child's innocence contends with harsh realities, and a birthday gift becomes a symbol of survival, hope, and the unforgiving nature of their everyday existence.

The Chicken is a drama movie featuring Iman Alibalić and directed by Una Gunjak.

The Chicken is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Criterion Channel.