Paul Schrader to lead the features jury at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival
The 30th Sarajevo Film Festival, running from August 16 to 23, promises to be a cinematic feast, with U.S. director-screenwriter Paul Schrader at the helm of the features jury. Schrader, known for his profound impact on the film industry, will be joined by a diverse and talented panel, including Swedish actor and producer Noomi Rapace, Finnish director-writer Juho Kuosmanen, Sarajevo-born, Paris-based director, writer, and editor Una Gunjak, and Slovenian actor Sebastian Cavazza. The jury will announce the winners of the Heart of Sarajevo awards on August 23.
Paul Schrader: A legacy of storytelling
Paul Schrader first made his mark as a screenwriter with the iconic “Taxi Driver” (1976), directed by Martin Scorsese. This collaboration continued with other masterpieces like “Raging Bull” (1980). Schrader’s directorial debut came with “Blue Collar” (1978), and he went on to direct critically acclaimed films such as “American Gigolo” (1980) and “Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters” (1985). His recent projects include “The Card Counter” (2021), “Master Gardener” (2022), and the upcoming “Oh Canada” (2024). Schrader’s journey is a testament to his enduring influence in the world of cinema.
Noomi Rapace: From Lisbeth Salander to global stardom
Noomi Rapace captured the international entertainment community’s attention in 2009 with her portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” [[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo]. Her performance earned her nominations for a British Academy Film Award and the European Film Award. Rapace has since balanced high-profile Hollywood roles in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” (2011)[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/sherlock-holmes-a-game-of-shadows]and “Child 44” (2015)[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/child-44]with edgy international productions like “Lamb” (2021)[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/lamb] and “You Won’t Be Alone” (2022)[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/you-wont-be-alone]. She has also appeared in high-profile TV shows such as “Jack Ryan” (2019)[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/jack-ryan], “Django” (2023) [[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/django], and this year’s “Constellation”[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/constellation]. Through her production company Boom Films, Rapace is developing several projects, including “Hamlet” with filmmaker Ali Abbasi, in which she will play the title role.
Juho Kuosmanen: A rising star in European cinema
Juho Kuosmanen made his feature debut with “The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki” (2016)[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/the-happiest-day-in-the-life-of-olli-maki], which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section. His second feature film, “Compartment No. 6” (2021) [[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/compartment-no-6], also premiered at Cannes, this time in the main competition program, where it won the Grand Prix, an award it shared with Asghar Farhadi’s “A Hero”[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/a-hero]. Recently, Kuosmanen directed three episodes of the TV series “Alice & Jack”[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/alice-and-jack], starring Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson.
Una Gunjak: A voice from Sarajevo
In 2014, Una Gunjak won the Heart of Sarajevo Award at the Sarajevo Film Festival for her short film ”The Chicken” [[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/the-chicken], which premiered in Cannes’ Critics’ Week and went on to win the European Film Award for best short film. Her first feature, “Excursion” (2023)[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/excursion], premiered at the Locarno Film Festival, earning a Special Mention. It has since screened at more than 50 festivals, winning awards for best script at FAF Belgrade and best actress at the Marrakech Film Festival. “Excursion” has secured theatrical release in 20 countries across Europe.
Sebastian Cavazza: A versatile talent
Sebastian Cavazza has delivered more than 80 performances on stage and taken on over 80 roles in front of the camera, including notable films such as “Men Don’t Cry” (2017)[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/men-dont-cry]and ”A.I. Rising” (2018)[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/ai-rising], and the series “Besa” (2018)[[https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/besa]. His extensive experience and versatility make him a valuable addition to the jury.
Reflecting on the festival’s impact
The Sarajevo Film Festival has long been a beacon of cultural exchange and artistic expression. This year’s jury, led by Paul Schrader, brings together a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives. As we look forward to the festival, it’s worth reflecting on the power of cinema to transcend boundaries and connect us through shared stories. The anticipation builds, and the promise of discovering new cinematic gems awaits.