Two buzzy Balkan series were under the spotlight this week at the Sarajevo Film Festival, where local creatives dished on their recipe for turning regional stories into potential breakout hits.
Sunday night saw the red-carpet regional premiere of “Operation Sabre,” a Serbian crime drama that premiered in Canneseries’ Long Form Competition this year. The show, about the 2003 assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić, is created and directed by Goran Stanković and Vladimir Tagić.
Snezana van Houwelingen, who produced the series for Belgrade-based This and That Productions, in co-production with Martichka Bozhilova (Agitprop) for Radio Television of Serbia, said that the creators were thinking about global audiences from the moment they began developing the script.
“From the very beginning, we believed this story had international potential, even if it was a very local event and it takes place in Serbia,” she said. “Everything we did during the development process was...
Sunday night saw the red-carpet regional premiere of “Operation Sabre,” a Serbian crime drama that premiered in Canneseries’ Long Form Competition this year. The show, about the 2003 assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić, is created and directed by Goran Stanković and Vladimir Tagić.
Snezana van Houwelingen, who produced the series for Belgrade-based This and That Productions, in co-production with Martichka Bozhilova (Agitprop) for Radio Television of Serbia, said that the creators were thinking about global audiences from the moment they began developing the script.
“From the very beginning, we believed this story had international potential, even if it was a very local event and it takes place in Serbia,” she said. “Everything we did during the development process was...
- 8/20/2024
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Auf dem Sarajevo Film Festival hat Jasmila Žbanić ein Sequel zu ihrem u.a. mit dem Europäischen Filmpreis ausgezeichneten und für einen Oscar nominierten Drama aus dem Jahr 2020 angekündigt.
Jasmila Žbanić (re.) wurde in Sarajevo zusammen mit Elma Tataragić für das Drehbuch der Dramaserie „I Know Your Soul“ ausgezeichnet und kündigte ein Sequel zu „Quo Vadis, Aida?“ an (Credit: Sarajevo Film Festival)
Jasmila Žbanić bereitet aktuell eine Fortsetzung ihres Dramas „Quo Vadis, Aida?“ vor. Wie die Filmemacherin jetzt im Rahmen des Sarajevo Film Festival, wo sie zusammen mit Elma Tataragić für das Drehbuch der Dramaserie „I Know Your Soul“ mit dem Heart of Sarajevo ausgezeichnet wurde, ankündigte, werde sich das Sequel mit den Folgen des später als Völkermord eingestuften Massakers in Srebrenica, bei dem im Juli 1995 rund 8.000 Bosnier ermordet wurden, und des Bosnienkriegs in den 1990er Jahren insgesamt beschäftigen.
Weitere Details zur Handlung des Sequels wollte Žbanić zwar nicht nennen,...
Jasmila Žbanić (re.) wurde in Sarajevo zusammen mit Elma Tataragić für das Drehbuch der Dramaserie „I Know Your Soul“ ausgezeichnet und kündigte ein Sequel zu „Quo Vadis, Aida?“ an (Credit: Sarajevo Film Festival)
Jasmila Žbanić bereitet aktuell eine Fortsetzung ihres Dramas „Quo Vadis, Aida?“ vor. Wie die Filmemacherin jetzt im Rahmen des Sarajevo Film Festival, wo sie zusammen mit Elma Tataragić für das Drehbuch der Dramaserie „I Know Your Soul“ mit dem Heart of Sarajevo ausgezeichnet wurde, ankündigte, werde sich das Sequel mit den Folgen des später als Völkermord eingestuften Massakers in Srebrenica, bei dem im Juli 1995 rund 8.000 Bosnier ermordet wurden, und des Bosnienkriegs in den 1990er Jahren insgesamt beschäftigen.
Weitere Details zur Handlung des Sequels wollte Žbanić zwar nicht nennen,...
- 8/20/2024
- by Jochen Müller
- Spot - Media & Film
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Jasmila Žbanić is prepping a sequel to her harrowing war drama “Quo Vadis, Aida?,” which competed for best international feature film at the 93rd Academy Awards, Variety can exclusively reveal.
Speaking at the Sarajevo Film Festival, Žbanić said the film will explore the tragic consequences of the 1990s Bosnian War and the brutal massacre at the heart of her critically acclaimed Oscar contender, which follows a Bosnian Un translator (Jasna Đuričić) torn between family and duty in Srebrenica, where more than 8,000 civilians — mostly Muslim men and boys — were slaughtered in the worst act of mass killing on European soil since World War II.
While Žbanić was reluctant to share details about the sequel’s plot, she discussed her inspiration to depict the aftermath of the massacre — which was later deemed to be a genocide — as well as the consequences of the wider war, which left countless Bosnian women without husbands and sons.
Speaking at the Sarajevo Film Festival, Žbanić said the film will explore the tragic consequences of the 1990s Bosnian War and the brutal massacre at the heart of her critically acclaimed Oscar contender, which follows a Bosnian Un translator (Jasna Đuričić) torn between family and duty in Srebrenica, where more than 8,000 civilians — mostly Muslim men and boys — were slaughtered in the worst act of mass killing on European soil since World War II.
While Žbanić was reluctant to share details about the sequel’s plot, she discussed her inspiration to depict the aftermath of the massacre — which was later deemed to be a genocide — as well as the consequences of the wider war, which left countless Bosnian women without husbands and sons.
- 8/19/2024
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Bosnian crime drama “I Know Your Soul,” created by Jasmila Žbanić – who directed Berlinale Golden Bear winner “Grbavica” and Oscar-nominated “Quo Vadis, Aida?” – and Damir Ibrahimović – who was a producer on those films – was named best drama series Sunday at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival. “Smashing It” was named best comedy show.
Eight series were nominated in 14 categories. Entries came from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia. The awards were decided by a jury of more than 500 film professionals from the region.
“I Know Your Soul” dominated the drama category, taking home seven Heart of Sarajevo awards. These included best drama series, best actress for Jasna Đurčić, European Film Award winner for “Quo Vadis, Aida?,” best supporting actress for Jelena Kordić Kuret, best supporting actor for Mirvad Kurić, Rising Star for Lazar Dragojević, best screenplay for Žbanić and Elma Tataragić, and best direction for Nermin Hamzagić.
Eight series were nominated in 14 categories. Entries came from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia. The awards were decided by a jury of more than 500 film professionals from the region.
“I Know Your Soul” dominated the drama category, taking home seven Heart of Sarajevo awards. These included best drama series, best actress for Jasna Đurčić, European Film Award winner for “Quo Vadis, Aida?,” best supporting actress for Jelena Kordić Kuret, best supporting actor for Mirvad Kurić, Rising Star for Lazar Dragojević, best screenplay for Žbanić and Elma Tataragić, and best direction for Nermin Hamzagić.
- 8/19/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
I Know Your Soul, a six-part drama series from Oscar-nominated Bosnian filmmaker Jasmila Zbanić (Quo Vadis, Aida?) took the top TV honors at this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival, winning best drama series and nearly sweeping the drama categories, taking best directing, best script and most of the acting categories. Zbanić, in addition to co-writing the series, also produced and served as showrunner. In addition to Quo Vadis, Aida?, Zbanić directed the Golden Bear-winning Grbavica (2006) and an episode of HBO’s Emmy-winning The Last of Us.
The series, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year, follows Nervena, a prosecutor in the process of a divorce raising her teenage son. Her investigation into a teen suicide sets off a series of events that transform her personal and professional life. Jasna Duricić, who plays Nervena, won the best actress honor for her performance. Co-star Jelena Kordić Kuret took the best...
The series, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year, follows Nervena, a prosecutor in the process of a divorce raising her teenage son. Her investigation into a teen suicide sets off a series of events that transform her personal and professional life. Jasna Duricić, who plays Nervena, won the best actress honor for her performance. Co-star Jelena Kordić Kuret took the best...
- 8/19/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Bosnian drama series “I Know Your Soul” emerged as the top winner at the 2022 Heart of Sarajevo Television Awards last month. The awards recognize excellence in television programming from countries in Southeastern Europe.
“I Know Your Soul”, written and directed by acclaimed Bosnian filmmaker Jasmila Žbanić, took home seven awards overall. This included prizes for Best Drama Series, Best Script for a Drama, and Best Direction for a Drama. Žbanić herself received the scriptwriting award for her work on the drama.
The series follows a prosecutor named Nervena dealing with personal struggles while investigating a teenager’s suicide. Actress Jasna Duričić won for her leading performance as Nervena. Her portrayal of a woman facing challenges at work and home drew widespread praise.
Other “I Know Your Soul” cast members also received awards. Jelena Kordić Kuret won for Best Supporting Actress. Mirvad Kurić and Lazar Dragojević earned trophies for their...
“I Know Your Soul”, written and directed by acclaimed Bosnian filmmaker Jasmila Žbanić, took home seven awards overall. This included prizes for Best Drama Series, Best Script for a Drama, and Best Direction for a Drama. Žbanić herself received the scriptwriting award for her work on the drama.
The series follows a prosecutor named Nervena dealing with personal struggles while investigating a teenager’s suicide. Actress Jasna Duričić won for her leading performance as Nervena. Her portrayal of a woman facing challenges at work and home drew widespread praise.
Other “I Know Your Soul” cast members also received awards. Jelena Kordić Kuret won for Best Supporting Actress. Mirvad Kurić and Lazar Dragojević earned trophies for their...
- 8/18/2024
- by Naser Nahandian
- Gazettely
Bosnian drama I Know Your Soul was the biggest winner at this year’s Heart of Sarajevo awards for TV Series, the Sarajevo Film Festival’s awards strand for TV shows, as the show nearly swept the drama categories. The six-part series, which is written by Oscar-nominated Bosnian filmmaker Jasmila Žbanić, took seven wins including Best Drama, Best Script – Drama, Best Directing – Drama and many of the drama acting categories.
The series, which world premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year, saw Žbanić take home the award for Best Script – Drama Series while Nermin Hamzagić won for Best Directing – Drama.
The show’s lead actress, Jasna Duričić, won Best Actress – Drama, while Jelena Kordić Kuret won Best Supporting Actress – Drama and Mirvad Kurić took Best Supporting Actor – Drama. Lazar Dragojević also took the Rising Star – Drama award.
I Know Your Soul is a six-part series that sees Duričić play Nervena,...
The series, which world premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year, saw Žbanić take home the award for Best Script – Drama Series while Nermin Hamzagić won for Best Directing – Drama.
The show’s lead actress, Jasna Duričić, won Best Actress – Drama, while Jelena Kordić Kuret won Best Supporting Actress – Drama and Mirvad Kurić took Best Supporting Actor – Drama. Lazar Dragojević also took the Rising Star – Drama award.
I Know Your Soul is a six-part series that sees Duričić play Nervena,...
- 8/18/2024
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Modern English have formally announced their new comeback album, 1 2 3 4, out February 23rd. As a preview, the British rockers have shared the latest single, “Not My Leader.”
1 2 3 4 marks the band’s first album of new material in eight years and was produced by Mario J. McNulty. Mixed and mastered at Abbey Road by Cenzo Townsend, the 10-track effort revisits themes from their ’80s LPs After the Snow and Ricochet Days, like the environment, aging, failed relationships, and love.
Meanwhile, songs like “Not My Leader” are a scorching indictment of modern politics in the US and UK. “It’s like you’ve never tried,” vocalist Robbie Grey sings. “Just to stop the lies/ You’re just wasting all our time.” Stream the single below.
In a statement, Grey explained the inspiration for the track. “I remember first coming to America in the early ’80s,” he said. “We...
1 2 3 4 marks the band’s first album of new material in eight years and was produced by Mario J. McNulty. Mixed and mastered at Abbey Road by Cenzo Townsend, the 10-track effort revisits themes from their ’80s LPs After the Snow and Ricochet Days, like the environment, aging, failed relationships, and love.
Meanwhile, songs like “Not My Leader” are a scorching indictment of modern politics in the US and UK. “It’s like you’ve never tried,” vocalist Robbie Grey sings. “Just to stop the lies/ You’re just wasting all our time.” Stream the single below.
In a statement, Grey explained the inspiration for the track. “I remember first coming to America in the early ’80s,” he said. “We...
- 1/19/2024
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
Festival ran November 2-12.
Sofia Exarchou’s Animal has won the €10,000 Golden Alexander-Theo Angelopoulos prize for best film at the 64th Thessaloniki International Film Festival, the first time in 30 years a Greek production has won the top prize.
The film’s lead actress Dimitra Vlagopoulou also won the best actress award ex aequo with Joanna Arnow for US production The Feeling That The Time For Doing Something Has Passed, which she also directed.
Vlagopoulou had previously won best actress at Locarno where the film had its world premiere.
The Greek, Austrian, Romanian, Cypriot, Bulgarian co-production follows a group of women...
Sofia Exarchou’s Animal has won the €10,000 Golden Alexander-Theo Angelopoulos prize for best film at the 64th Thessaloniki International Film Festival, the first time in 30 years a Greek production has won the top prize.
The film’s lead actress Dimitra Vlagopoulou also won the best actress award ex aequo with Joanna Arnow for US production The Feeling That The Time For Doing Something Has Passed, which she also directed.
Vlagopoulou had previously won best actress at Locarno where the film had its world premiere.
The Greek, Austrian, Romanian, Cypriot, Bulgarian co-production follows a group of women...
- 11/15/2023
- by Alexis Grivas
- ScreenDaily
When the Thessaloniki International Film Festival’s industry arm, Agora, kicks off this week in Greece’s second city, organizers will be looking to expand upon recent additions to a time-tested formula that’s served the event across nearly two decades as a launching pad and incubator for Greek and regional talent.
“We’ve been doing the Agora since 2005, and we have slowly but steadily established it as one of the markets where you can find new talents and emerging directors from this region,” says industry head Angeliki Vergou, who took over from longtime Agora topper Yianna Sarri last year. “I think we are maintaining the essence of Agora that we have developed all these years, but just tweaking it a little bit to make it more available and more open to bring in new opportunities.”
In her second year in charge of the Agora, Vergou is looking to build...
“We’ve been doing the Agora since 2005, and we have slowly but steadily established it as one of the markets where you can find new talents and emerging directors from this region,” says industry head Angeliki Vergou, who took over from longtime Agora topper Yianna Sarri last year. “I think we are maintaining the essence of Agora that we have developed all these years, but just tweaking it a little bit to make it more available and more open to bring in new opportunities.”
In her second year in charge of the Agora, Vergou is looking to build...
- 11/1/2023
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Thessaloniki Film Festival’s Agora Series, a hybrid film-series industry strand, returns this year for its sophomore outing with Paper Entertainment CEO and Tehran executive producer Julien Leroux serving as program consultant.
This year’s Agora series program will run for two extended days, starting November 4, with a focus on the creative process of series screenwriting. The schedule will feature a range of masterclass sessions from local and international series professionals. Canadian filmmaker Jeremy Podeswa will host a masterclass on the future of storytelling titled From Six Feet Under to the Top: The Evolution of Contemporary Television at the Pavlos Zannas Theatre on November 4. Podeswa — who was recently announced as the lead director of the Blade Runner 2099 mini-series at Amazon — will discuss the evolution of series content throughout the years and his personal journey in the business. Podeswa’s credits include Six Feet Under, Game of Thrones,...
This year’s Agora series program will run for two extended days, starting November 4, with a focus on the creative process of series screenwriting. The schedule will feature a range of masterclass sessions from local and international series professionals. Canadian filmmaker Jeremy Podeswa will host a masterclass on the future of storytelling titled From Six Feet Under to the Top: The Evolution of Contemporary Television at the Pavlos Zannas Theatre on November 4. Podeswa — who was recently announced as the lead director of the Blade Runner 2099 mini-series at Amazon — will discuss the evolution of series content throughout the years and his personal journey in the business. Podeswa’s credits include Six Feet Under, Game of Thrones,...
- 10/12/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
The delicate balance between personal emotions and professional responsibilities forms the core of the first two episodes of Jasmila Zbanic’s I Know Your Soul. Starring Jasna Duricic, Lazar Dragojevic and Ermin Bravo, the show examines familial bonds, societal expectations and the shadows that secrets cast over relationships. With the first two episodes directed by Alen Drljevic, the series promises an exploration of complex human emotions, social pressures and intricate mysteries that don’t just lie outside but within the very confines of our homes.
Young Emir is smoking a cigarette staring into the void on his rooftop. Looks like teen angst, right? Wrong. He jumps off the ledge to his death, which causes prosecutor Nevena, and detective Džandžo begins investigating. The prosecutor retraces his steps and finds there were no signs of foul play, and now she has to break the news to Emir’s parents Goran and Vedrana.
Young Emir is smoking a cigarette staring into the void on his rooftop. Looks like teen angst, right? Wrong. He jumps off the ledge to his death, which causes prosecutor Nevena, and detective Džandžo begins investigating. The prosecutor retraces his steps and finds there were no signs of foul play, and now she has to break the news to Emir’s parents Goran and Vedrana.
- 9/6/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to Global Breakouts, Deadline’s strand in which, each fortnight, we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are appearing in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track. So we’re going to do the hard work for you.
This week we head to the Venice Film Festival to check out French director Xavier Giannoli’s international crime thriller Of Money and Blood, which world premiered in its official selection on August 31 to a buzzy reception.
Name: Of Money and Blood
Country: France
Network: Canal+
Distributor: Studiocanal
Where can I watch: Canal+ in France from October
For fans of: Michael Mann’s The Insider, Martin Scorsese’s Wall Street, Oliver Stone’s JFK, Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic
French writer-director Xavier...
This week we head to the Venice Film Festival to check out French director Xavier Giannoli’s international crime thriller Of Money and Blood, which world premiered in its official selection on August 31 to a buzzy reception.
Name: Of Money and Blood
Country: France
Network: Canal+
Distributor: Studiocanal
Where can I watch: Canal+ in France from October
For fans of: Michael Mann’s The Insider, Martin Scorsese’s Wall Street, Oliver Stone’s JFK, Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic
French writer-director Xavier...
- 9/6/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
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