The Sarajevo Film Festival was born during the Bosnian War in 1994, when the city was under siege for four years. Sarajevo, the city and this festival have done a lot to put this dark history behind us. But as SFF celebrates its 30th anniversaryth The festival continues to focus on films that illuminate contemporary issues and politics, as well as films that celebrate the power of cinema even in the darkest of times.
Of the nine films screened as part of the SFF competition programme, some deal directly with politics – such as the film by Serbian director Vuk Ršumović dwell among the godswhich looks at issues of identity through the eyes of Afghan refugees—or indirectly, as in the work of Romanian filmmaker Andrei Cohen holy weekThe story takes place in 1900, but revolves around a religious conflict that still resonates today.
“As always, we’re looking for original stories, new authors, and most importantly, fresh and bold perspectives,” said Elma Tataragić, SFF’s lead competition programmer. “We appreciate filmmakers who take risks with their chosen themes, visual language and ideas they convey. In the end, I’m quite pleased with the choice. It’s very diverse, exciting, innovative and seductive. people.
The official selection was selected from 940 submissions and included one world premiere, one European premiere and six regional premieres, including one directed by Mirjana Karanović Movie mother marla – selected from competition for a grand world premiere.
“This year’s selection is both an invitation and an instruction, a possibility and a limit, a promise and a threat, a safe place and a challenge,” Tatarajic said. “All filmmakers express in their films various concerns about the world today, yesterday and tomorrow. It is a different perspective on war, history, love, betrayal, the fragile future and the eternal human need to belong. Polyphony. Through this selection, the audience is invited to reflect on the ambivalence of today’s world, which seems more fragile than ever.
American director and screenwriter Paul Schrader will lead the jury to select the winners of the four “Heart of Sarajevo” awards (Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress), as well as directors born in Sarajevo , Slovenian actor Sebastian Cavazza. The girl with the dragon tattoo Stars Noomi Rapace.
Announcing the nine films selected, SFF creative director Izeta Građević said they represented “a diverse range of film practices and traditions, a diversity of themes, cinematic languages and creative affinities” of the area.
Many of the shortlisted works have competed in Berlin or Cannes, including a fantasy drama from Greek filmmaker Yorgos Zois Arcadiawhich premiered at the Berlinale Encounter, starring Yorgos Lanthimos collaborator Angeliki Papoulia (lobster) tells the story of a couple who identify the victims of a tragic accident and become drawn into the case, forcing them to confront their own understanding of love, loss, and regret.
Debut feature from Somali-Austrian filmmaker Mo Haraway Village next to paradise This year it premiered in Cannes in the “Un Certain Regard” section. The film follows the daily hardships of a Somali family struggling to survive in the shadow of a near-constant drone-led counterterrorism operation.
There are also several films from emerging regional talent in contention this year, including the feature debut of Georgian director Tato Kottishvili holy electricity, Followed by two little boys They expressed their “quest for love and friendship” as they tried to unload a suitcase full of rusty crosses.
“The Sarajevo Film Festival was born out of the need and desire of Sarajevo citizens for cinema and visual storytelling, even during the worst times of the war,” Tatarajic explains. “Early on in our growth, we understood that the region was missing a unique and shared platform for the exchange of ideas, ideas and creativity. Over the years we have become that place and we are delighted that the region now recognizes this festival as their home . We definitely want to continue on this path. The Sarajevo Film Festival is unique in its ongoing commitment to the development of Southeast European cinema.
