World Premiere of ‘Mum’s Alive Today’ Marks the Midpoint of the Festival Week

The fourth day of the festival will be remembered for the sold-out world premiere of Mum’s Alive Today by two-time ZFF Checkers laureate Josip Lukić (Summer Fruits, ZFF 2019 – Special Mention; It’s Not Cold for Mosquitoes, ZFF 2022 – Golden Pram, co-dir. Klara Šovagović). Lukić wrote and directed his feature debut and also stars in the lead role of Jakov, who returns to his hometown of Split to care for his mother as her mental health rapidly deteriorates. Led by the director, the crew members whose attendance elevated the viewing experience of this dark comedy-drama included actresses Ksenija Marinković and Snježana Sinovčić-Šiškov, alongside producers Tena Gojić, Dragana Jovović, and Ivan Glebov. Following the premiere screening at Kaptol Boutique Cinema, which drew numerous prominent figures from the Croatian film and cultural scene, an engaging Q&A session took place in which the film team shared fascinating details and behind-the-scenes anecdotes with moderator David Uranjek.

That same evening at Kaptol Boutique Cinema saw the screening of 17 by North Macedonian director Kosara Mitić, which, much like Lukić’s work, is also in the running for the main festival award. This raw and uncompromising portrayal of reality won the Heart of Sarajevo for Best Actress (Eva Kostić), the Audience Award, and the Special Award for Promoting Gender Equality in Sarajevo. In addition to the Golden Pram, it is competing at the 24th ZFF for the PLUS Young Jury Award. Following the 18:00 evening screening, Mitić joined ZFF Programme Coordinator Barbara Gregov to discuss her debut feature about seventeen-year-old Sara, which has sent shockwaves across the region.

Among the many guests at this year’s edition of the festival is Swedish-Danish director Maria Bäck, whose film Brave New Love is screening in the Main Competition. Tickets sold out rapidly for the film about hypnotherapist Kate, who lives with her husband Orl and daughter Athena while maintaining a secret romantic affair with Andreas (Anders Danielsen Lie; The Worst Person in the World, ZFF 2021; Oslo, August 31st, ZFF 2011). Following the packed evening screening, Bäck shared further details with ZFF Programme Director Selma Mehadžić about her second feature film, which she is currently adapting into a novel. This year’s ZFF also welcomed actress Tanya Shahova from Black Money for White Nights by Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov. During a Q&A session with film critic Nika Petković, Shahova shared her experiences from filming the satirical Bulgarian drama about a married couple in their sixties who secretly save bribe money to fulfil their lifelong dream of travelling to Saint Petersburg. The film is screening in the Network of Festivals in the Adriatic Region programme, and an interview with the Bulgarian directing duo is also available on the official ZFF website.

Among the highlights of the midpoint of the festival week were certainly the sold-out screening of the Italian film The Last One for the Road from the Great 5 programme (18:30, Kinoteka Cinema), as well as a packed screening of the beloved International Short Film Competition at Kinoteka Cinema, attended by Norwegian filmmaker Håkon Anton Olavsen (Let’s (Not) Talk About the Snake), Slovenian filmmaker Nika Jurman (Little House), and Croatian filmmakers Filip Dučić (Sounds of Cicadas) and Ana Šiškov (Root Touch-up).

In collaboration with the Undefeated Palestine initiative, a panel discussion titled Boycott in the Film Industry took place at Cinema Surogat KIC at 18:30, featuring Ronnie Barkan (co-founder of the First Jewish Anti-Zionist Congress and the Boycott from Within initiative), Jakob Krese (director and cinematographer), Diana Meheik (journalist and playwright), and Karla Crnčević (film worker).