Kuduz

30 years after it was made, Kuduz remains a cult film that has survived the test of time and is still being loved by generations of ex-Yugoslavs. Inspired by a real person, who after returning from prison, chooses a quiet family life with stunningly beautiful woman. However, her behaviour triggers a chain of events that destroy their love. This compelling love story won dozens of awards, including Golden Arena for Best Actress and Audience Award in Pula. Screenings will be followed by Q&A with the actress Snežana Bogdanović. Dutch Premiere

Synopsis

Set in 1985, in a grim city periphery, the story follows Becir Kuduz, a convicted criminal, who returns home after serving time in prison for assaulting a policeman. Soon after, he meets Badema, an attractive, flirty young woman who has a child from a previous marriage. To everyone’s excitement, they fall in love and get married. Kuduz is a loving husband and a father to his wife’s daughter. However, Badema’s refusal to be what is expected of her, as a wife and a mother in traditional Bosnian environment, triggers fits of rage and jealousy in Kuduz. The initial happiness of the newlyweds turns into a series of quarrels and fights, pleadings and reconciliations, culminating in a tragic end.

Director’s bio

Ademir Kenović is one of the most successful Bosnian directors, producers and film educators. He was born in 1950 in Sarajevo, where he studied the English Language and Literature. In 1972 he left for the USA to study film, English literature and arts at the Dennison University in Ohio. in 1989 he started teaching directing at the Sarajevo Academy of Performing Arts.
Kenović has been directing and producing short and feature films, video clips and documentaries since 1976. His feature films “Kuduz” (1989) and “Ovo malo duse” (1987) are one of the most memorable films in the history of ex-Yugoslav cinema and were screened at all important international film festivals. These two films introduced to Yugoslavia a director with a special sensibility and compassion for children, outsiders, people on the margins of society.
During the Bosnian war (1992-1995) he remained in Sarajevo and shot more than 50 documentaries and a series of clips “Street under siege”. In 1997 he made wartime drama “Savrseni krug”(1997) which was screened in Cannes where it won Francois Chalais award. Kenović has produced films of younger generation of filmmakers from the region, including Gori Vatra by Pjer Zalica, Karaula by Rajko Grlic, Armin by Ognjen Svilicic, Žaba by Elmir Jukic.

Festivals & Awards (selection)

Pula Film Festival of Yugoslavian Films, 1989 – Golden Arena for Best Actress (Snezana Bogdanovic), Audience Award, Big Silver Arena (Producer’s Award), Golden Wreathe (Critic’s Award), Golden Gladiator (Special Award) | Herceg Novi Film Festival, Yugoslavia – Best Director | European Film Awards, 1989 – Nominee for Young European Director of the Year, European Actress of the Year and European Composer of the Year; Special Mention to the creative spirit of the new films coming from Sarajevo