Sarajevo Film Festival: Doc Lineup Explores Taboo Subjects, Both Political and Emotional

Sarajevo Film Festival: Doc Lineup Explores Taboo Subjects, Both Political  and Emotional

As a seasoned gamer of the global film festival scene, I must say that my heart skips a beat every time I hear about the Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF). The anticipation that brews before each screening is akin to the thrill of cracking open a fresh game box and diving into a new world.


For the Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF), choosing and evaluating films is a highly individual, emotional journey for programmer Rada Šešić.

Šešić shares a secret: “Once I’ve presented the movie and its creator, I remain in the theater to sense the audience’s rhythm. Every time someone enters or exits loudly, or leaves during the film, it sends a shiver down my spine. It pains me to see an agitated, restless audience.”

Șešić will anxiously wait with bated breath during the showings of the 21 documentaries (19 of which are in competition) selected from 275 entries, for this year’s festival.

She expresses that every screening feels akin to sitting an exam for her, yet she shares that the Sarajevo screening holds a unique sense of gravity, akin to a solemn event. Regularly, we have numerous world or international premieres annually, and the moment when the film connects with the audience is typically quite moving.

Šešić finds this year’s film choices to be “very developed, captivating, and thought-provoking,” and they will be evaluated by a panel that includes Mandy Chang, founder and creative director of the documentary label Undeniable, Marek Hovorka, founder and head of the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival in Czechia, and renowned Chinese documentarian Wang Xiaoshuai, known for his film “Beijing Bicycle.”

As a gamer, I’m thrilled to kick off the competition by being among the first to witness Anna Rubi’s newest creation, “Your Life Without Me“. This heartwarming feature film focuses on a band of resilient elderly mothers who are determined to secure the future support system for their grown-up children with disabilities, even after they’re gone.

As a film enthusiast who has followed the evolution of the Ukrainian cinema scene for several years now, I am thrilled to see such a strong presence of Ukrainian directors at this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival. The recent invasion by Russia has undoubtedly brought about a significant shift in the industry, and it is heartening to witness how platforms like Sarajevo are opening up opportunities for these talented filmmakers.

Šešić remarks that besides their cinematic aspects, the chosen films strongly reflect the world we live in. They are daring, direct, and impressively bold in their execution. He was struck by the depth of intimacy present in numerous personal author’s narratives.

As a parent of two young children, I found Silvestar Kolbas’ “Our Children” particularly resonant. Growing up with siblings myself and now raising my own family, I can attest to the complexities and joys that come with navigating the intricacies of family dynamics over time.

Šešić highlights Maja Novakovic’s work, “At the Door of the House, Who Will Come Knocking,” as a tribute to the resilient human spirit, emphasizing the profound, almost spiritual bond between humanity and nature.

Şešić remarks that documentary films are particularly significant in our area. He explains that they function like a thermometer, gauging the political and societal climate; they indicate what’s simmering beneath the surface. Frequently, they become tools for social and political debate, stimulating thoughtful discussions among us.

As someone who has faced their fair share of taboo topics throughout my life, I wholeheartedly believe that these issues should not be swept under the rug any longer. They often linger unaddressed in mainstream society for far too long, hidden away and overlooked.

According to her, documentaries have always been integral to the SFF’s makeup. This can be traced back to when they only screened for three days over two decades ago. Since then, they’ve broadened their horizons, offering programs like Dealing with the Past, a True Stories Market, and a Docu Rough Cut Boutique. The latter has been instrumental in assisting numerous regional documentary projects in gaining exposure to international audiences.

Šešić states, “These vital yet non-confrontational programs provide a platform for significant stories to be shared and debated. I always look forward to the annual screenings of the selected films as the festival is focused on interactions between viewers, filmmakers, and their productions.”

She summarizes: “The festival in Sarajevo boasts a dedicated, discerning crowd who appreciate documentary cinema. They value both the relevance and mystery of the narrative, while also acknowledging the director’s creative vision. The documentaries in our competition spark thought-provoking ideas that could potentially lead to beneficial change over time.”

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2024-08-17 09:25