The world premiere of Dino Mustafić’s Bosnian dark comedy The Pavilion, set in a retirement home, will open the 31st edition of the Sarajevo Film Festival this summer, organizers unveiled on Wednesday.
“This is a film about the oldest generation who have chosen to act according to their conscience in today’s world,” said Mustafić. “They rise up in rebellion. And rebellions, by nature, come in all forms. This one is different.”
It has become a tradition, the opening ceremony will be hosted by a young acting star from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Lidija Kordić (Son’s Will, Diva Futura) taking on the hosting duties this year.
“It is a great honor and pleasure for me to have the opportunity to host the opening ceremony of the Sarajevo Film Festival – a festival that has marked important moments in both my professional and personal journey,” she said. “I experienced my first film premiere precisely at the Sarajevo Film Festival, and now, t10 years later in Sarajevo, I feel like I’m closing one of the most beautiful chapters of my life – in the most beautiful way possible.”
She added: “For me, the Sarajevo Film Festival is the most magical time in Sarajevo – the streets are full of people, ideas, style, languages, and emotions, a place where I met and connected with people who inspire me, where I first felt – and keep feeling – just how important film is and how powerful it can be.”
Mustafić said about the fest: “The atmosphere of our festival is special and unique, and I sincerely hope the audience will enjoy a film that brought together a large regional cast of well-known actors. Both the authors and producers come from across the Balkans.”
The Pavilion is described as “a dark comedy about a group of residents in a retirement home who, after years of abuse and humiliation, decide to stage an armed revolt. Armed with illegal weapons, they take over the home, hold the staff hostage, and clash with the authorities.”
The Pavilion was produced by Panglas (Bosnia and Herzegovina), in co-production with Cineplanet (Croatia), Krug Film (North Macedonia), Monte Royal Pictures (Serbia), Natenane Productions (Montenegro), and Realstage (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
The screenplay was written by Viktor Ivančić, with Emir Imamović Pirke as co-writer. Directors of photography are Almir Đikoli and Mustafa Mustafić, editor is Vladimir Gojun, and the music is by Bojan Zulfikarpašić, with costume design by Zhaklina Krstevska and set design by Mirna Ler.
The cast includes Rade Šerbedžija, Zijah Sokolović, Miralem Zubčević, Ksenija Pajić, Jasna Diklić, Branka Petrić, Meto Jovanovski, Vladimir Jurc Lali, Kaća Dorić, Muhamed Bahonjić, Ivo Barišić, Ermin Bravo, Alban Ukaj, Nikša Butijer, Vedrana Božinović, and Mirjana Karanović.
