In addition to becoming a go-to music and comedy show destination, Austin reaps rewards as a city for moviegoers and filmmakers. The rarest of indie movies often make it to the biggest Austin screens.

Recently, watched the documentary Kiss the Future produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The remarkable screenplay by Sarajevan Nenad Cicin-Sain and American journalist Bill Carter was conceived based on the horrific war in the former Yugoslavia —-now comprising of Croatia, Serbia, and other democracies. I’ve visited beautiful parts of Croatia and remnants of its war-torn Yugoslavian past.

Nenad Cicin-Sain and Bill Carter walk back the past with rare footage of Sarajevo life in the mid-90s. Documentaries are typically dreadful to watch, but this one highlighted the underground music scene which kept artists and musicians ticking and collaborating in the midst of tragedy.

I found it particularly inspiring to learn fellow American Bill Carter trekked all the way from Santa Cruz (CA) to help as an international aid worker. He showed how the power of grassroots journalism can uncover the horrific injustice and onslaught committed by the crazed dictator Slobodan Milosevic. It received the attention of the international media like CNN. Ultimately, Bill Carter was able draw musician Bono of U2 into the cause. The movie culminated with a massive U2 concert in Sarajevo during the war. The plight of human suffering was finally addressed by international diplomacy. The people of Sarajevo began healing.

The movie showed how music connects us and heals across borders. At a time when similar conflicts are happening worldwide, I hope this type of narrative emboldens more courageous souls like Bill Carter to venture somewhere. The message is clear. Be the change.