The film recreates the terror and uncertainty civilians endured during the siege of Sarajevo by interspersing scenes of the Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra rehearsing the First Movement of Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique with a musician making her way through what became known as Sniper Alley. Sprinting through the streets, the music runs through her head. At each crossing, she hesitates, holds her breath, and pushes through.

After reading art historian and critic Michael Fried’s insightful analysis of Sala’s work in his book Four Honest Outlaws: Sala, Ray, Marioni, Gordon, Curator of Contemporary Art Kristen Hileman was inspired to invite Fried to select a work by Sala for presentation in Baltimore.

Curated by the artist and Michael Fried, The Johns Hopkins University J. R. Herbert Boone Chair in the Humanities, and organized by Curator of Contemporary Art Kristen Hileman.