From Cannes and Venice to ENFF in The Hague
(Lost Country, 2023)
The Happiest Man in the World (2022), which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and is the national entry for the 95th Oscars, presents an impressive drama inspired by the true story of Sarajevo screenwriter Elma Tataragić. By chance, a young woman meets the sniper who severely wounded her as a child.
From Cannes comes Lost Country (2023). During student demonstrations against Milošević’s regime, a boy must also engage in a personal struggle with his own mother’s views. This impressive and compelling semi-autobiographical film, with actors such as Jasna Đuričić and Boris Isaković, known from Quo Vadis, Aida, offers a profound portrait of that turbulent time. Young actor Jovan Ginić won awards at Cannes and Sarajevo Film Festival for his gripping portrayal.
While bread and salt are a sign of hospitality in his culture, Damian Kocur focuses his lens on the less hospitable aspects of Poland in the film Bread and Salt (2022). The film, awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, shows the tension that lies just beneath the surface of xenophobic provincial city life.
