An Ordinary Man (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A hidden war criminal confronts loneliness, fragile human connection, and the certainty of arrest.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Fugitive in Plain Sight

The General hides in an unnamed Balkan country while international authorities seek him for ethnic cleansing and war crimes. His country denies knowing where he is, and loyalists protect his public life.

Key Events

• War Criminal in Hiding — The General hides in an unnamed Balkan country after being wanted for ethnic cleansing and war crimes. Characters: The General Location: Unnamed Balkan country
• International Manhunt — The General is wanted internationally for ethnic cleansing and war crimes. Characters: The General Location: International political sphere
• State Concealment — The country pretends not to know the General's whereabouts despite international pressure. Characters: The General Location: Unnamed Balkan country
• Loyalist Protection — A retinue of loyalists watches over the General and ensures his safety. Characters: The General Location: The General's city residence
• Known Face in the City — The General continues his life in a city where his face is well known. Characters: The General Location: Balkan city

Loneliness Behind Protection

Although the General is surrounded by loyalists, he remains isolated and openly expresses loneliness. He hires Tanja as a maid, but initially treats her abusively.

Key Events

• Known Face in the City — The General continues his life in a city where his face is well known. Characters: The General Location: Balkan city
• Loneliness Revealed — Despite his loyalist protection, the General expresses loneliness. Characters: The General Location: The General's apartment
• Tanja Is Hired — The General hires Tanja as his new maid. Characters: The General, Tanja Location: The General's apartment
• Initial Abuse — The General initially treats Tanja abusively in their new employer-employee relationship. Characters: The General, Tanja Location: The General's apartment
• Uneasy Companionship — The General and Tanja gradually move from abuse toward an awkward friendship. Characters: The General, Tanja Location: The General's apartment

An Uneasy Friendship

The General and Tanja gradually develop an awkward friendship despite their unequal relationship and its abusive beginning. Tanja's real role as an agent assigned to protect him is then revealed.

Key Events

• Uneasy Companionship — The General and Tanja gradually move from abuse toward an awkward friendship. Characters: The General, Tanja Location: The General's apartment
• Secret Identity Revealed — Tanja is revealed to be an agent hired to protect the General. Characters: The General, Tanja Location: The General's apartment
• Protection Assignment — Tanja's hidden assignment reframes her presence in the General's household. Characters: The General, Tanja Location: The General's apartment
• Cemetery Request — The General asks Tanja to drive him to the cemetery in his home village. Characters: The General, Tanja Location: The General's apartment

The Journey to the Cemetery

The General asks Tanja to drive him to the cemetery in his home village. She reluctantly takes him there, where his waiting driver is already present.

Key Events

• Cemetery Request — The General asks Tanja to drive him to the cemetery in his home village. Characters: The General, Tanja Location: The General's apartment
• Reluctant Departure — Tanja reluctantly drives the General away from the city toward his home village. Characters: The General, Tanja Location: Balkan city
• Return to Home Village — The General and Tanja arrive at the cemetery in his home village. Characters: The General, Tanja Location: The General's home village
• Driver Waiting — The General's driver has been waiting for them at the cemetery. Characters: The General, Tanja Location: Village cemetery
• Tanja Assassinated — The waiting driver kills Tanja at the cemetery. Characters: Tanja Location: Village cemetery

A Quiet Wait for Arrest

The driver kills Tanja and returns the General to his city apartment. In the final scene, the General sits at his kitchen table with a handgun and bullets while awaiting arrest.

Key Events

• Tanja Assassinated — The waiting driver kills Tanja at the cemetery. Characters: Tanja Location: Village cemetery
• Forced Return — After Tanja's death, the driver takes the General back toward his city apartment. Characters: The General Location: Road from the home village
• Back in the Apartment — The General returns to his apartment after the cemetery incident. Characters: The General Location: The General's apartment
• Awaiting Arrest — The General sits at his kitchen table and awaits his arrest. Characters: The General Location: The General's kitchen
• Gun and Bullets — A handgun and bullets lie before the General as he remains seated awaiting arrest. Characters: The General Location: The General's kitchen

Story Breakdown

• Hidden War Criminal — The General lives in hiding while remaining wanted internationally for war crimes.
  • International Pursuit — He is wanted for ethnic cleansing and war crimes.
  • Public Concealment — He continues living in a city where his face is well known.
• State Protection Network — The country denies knowledge of the General while loyalists secure his safety.
  • Official Denial — The country pretends that his whereabouts are unknown.
  • Loyalist Watch — A retinue of loyalists watches over him.
• Loneliness at Home — Protection and public familiarity do not prevent the General from feeling isolated.
  • Loneliness Confession — The General expresses loneliness.
  • Maid Hired — He hires Tanja as his newly appointed maid.
• Uneasy Human Bond — The General and Tanja move from abuse toward an awkward friendship.
  • Abusive Beginning — The General initially treats Tanja abusively.
  • Awkward Friendship — Their relationship gradually becomes an uneasy friendship.
• Secret Protection Assignment — Tanja's apparent domestic role conceals an assignment connected to the General's safety.
  • Agent Revealed — Tanja is revealed to be an agent.
  • Assigned Protector — Her assignment is to protect the General.
• Cemetery Betrayal — A journey to the General's home village ends with Tanja's assassination.
  • Reluctant Journey — Tanja drives the General to the village cemetery.
  • Driver's Killing — The waiting driver kills Tanja at the cemetery.
• Final Arrest Watch — The General returns to his apartment and waits for the consequences of his past.
  • Return to Apartment — The driver takes the General back to the city apartment.
  • Gun on Table — He waits for arrest with a handgun and bullets before him.

Directed by

Brad Silberling

Key Cast

• Ben Kingsley — The General
• Hera Hilmar — Tanja
• Peter Serafinowicz — Miro
• Edmund Kingsley — ER Intern
• Robert Blythe — Grocer