The 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival Opened with the Screening of the Film FATHERLAND by Paweł Pawlikowski

“At the Sarajevo Film Festival, we believe that an opening ceremony should be an introduction to cinema, not a substitute for it. That is why, very shortly, we will leave the spotlight to the filmmakers and their work. We don't come to the festival because we all think alike. We come because we believe that film is worth experiencing together. Today, that belief is perhaps more important than ever”, said Jovan Marjanović, director of Sarajevo Film Festival, adding that the Festival for over three decades has been building an audience that believes it's worth watching films together, engaging in dialogue, and remaining open to the experiences of others.

“That trust is our Festival's greatest treasure and our greatest responsibility. Tonight, as every year, we hand the stage over to film. At a time when Europe is once again questioning issues of identity, belonging, and borders, we open the Festival with a film that invites us to look at the past from a human perspective — Fatherland!”, said Marjanović.

„This Festival is very close to my heart. It is my fourth time here. First time I showed a film here was at the very first edition that was in 1995. That was a very interesting time for cinema and history. The film you are about to see is perfect for Sarajevo in a way because it is seeped in history. It is about history. It is about family, love  betrayal and everything. It is all in context of history which this city for me has a lot. Having said all that, don’t take it all too seriously. There is some funny bits in this film as well. I hope you enjoy today’s screening,“ said Paweł Pawlikowski.

Pawlikowski will hold a masterclass on Sunday, August 16th, at 10:00 AM at the Festival Center (Bosnian Cultural Center)

Programmer Elma Tataragić introduced the programme of the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival.

“This year's programme brings together films of diverse poetics, distinct artistic voices, and different life experiences. Each of them invites us to view the world from a different perspective. I hope these films will surprise you, move you, and inspire a conversation”, said Tataragić.

In addition to the National Theater, Fatherland was also watched by the audience in the Coca-Cola Open Air Cinema, the UNIQA Open Air Cinema Stari Grad, the Open Air Cinema Centar „Safet Zajko“, the Grbavica Cinema and the Ilidža Picnic Cinema.

With screening of the film Fatherland the programme of the Sarajevo Film Festival in Tuzla also began, at the Bingo Open Air Cinema Tuzla.

Fatherland centres on the relationship between the Nobel Prize-winning writer Thomas Mann (Hanns Zischler) and his daughter Erika (Sandra Hüller) - actress, writer and rally driver. In the summer of 1949, at the height of the Cold War, father and daughter embark on a challenging and emotional road trip in a black Buick taking them across a Germany in ruins.

The host of the opening ceremony of the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival is actor Kerim Čutuna.

At the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, which will take place until August 21, more than 250 films will be screened.