Language/Bosnian/Culture/Bosnian-Cinema

Bosnian → Culture → 0 to A1 Course → Bosnian Literature and Cinema → Bosnian Cinema

The History and Development of Bosnian Cinema

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a long tradition of film production, dating back to the early 20th century. Over the years, the country has produced numerous acclaimed filmmakers, actors, and films that have gained international recognition. In this lesson, we will explore the history and evolution of Bosnian cinema, and its influence on contemporary film culture.

Early Beginnings

The first Bosnian film, “Uneasy Dreams”, was produced in 1928 under the direction of Ante Babaja. The film's release marked the beginning of a long and established history of local film production, which continued to grow during the years of the former Yugoslavia.

During the Yugoslav era, Sarajevo Film Festival, founded in 1995, served as the main hub for the showcasing of Bosnian cinema to an international audience, and as a platform for the promotion and distribution of local and regional films across the country.

1970s - 1980s: New Wave of Bosnian Cinema

The late 1960s and early 1970s witnessed the birth of the "Black Wave" movement in Yugoslav cinema, featuring new and unconventional film styles and thematic approaches. This era also marked the emergence of Bosnian directors, including Bahrudin "Bato" Čengić, Zdravko Velimirović, and Emir Kusturica.

Kusturica, who has won numerous awards for his work, helped usher in a new era of Bosnian cinema, showcasing the unique perspective and experiences of the country's people. His films such as "When Father Was Away on Business" and "Underground" are considered cinematic masterpieces, and continue to influence many contemporary filmmakers worldwide.

1990s: The War Years

The Bosnian War, which lasted from 1992 to 1995, had a profound impact on the local film industry. Many films were disrupted, projects were delayed or cancelled, and several filmmakers left the country. However, despite the challenging circumstances, some filmmakers, including Ademir Kenović, managed to produce powerful and thought-provoking films.

Kenović's 1997 film, "Perfect Circle", was one of the first post-war films to address the impact of the conflict on the country's people. The film won numerous awards at international festivals and was critically acclaimed for its powerful narrative style and its message of hope and human resilience.

2000s to Present: Contemporary Bosnian Cinema

The beginning of the new millennium saw a renewed interest in Bosnian cinema, with several filmmakers gaining worldwide recognition. Among them is Danis Tanović, whose film "No Man's Land" won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2002, and Jasmila Žbanić, whose debut feature film "Grbavica" won the Golden Bear award at the 2006 Berlin Film Festival.

Bosnian cinema continues to evolve and gain momentum, with new filmmakers showcasing their talents and putting their unique perspectives on screen. An increasing number of international co-productions have also allowed Bosnian directors to work with creative teams from other countries, which has further contributed to the growth and development of the country's cinema.

Bosnian Films and Directors to Watch

The following is a list of some of the most influential Bosnian films and directors of all time.

Famous Bosnian Films

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Otac na službenom putu	otats na služhbenom poktoo	When Father Was Away on Business
Potpisani	potpeesahnee	Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Bure baruta	booreh bahroota	Powder Keg
Sjećaš li se Dolly Bell?	sye-chash lee seh Dolly Bell	Do You Remember Dolly Bell?
Grbavica	grbahveetzah	Grbavica
No Man's Land	noh mahns land	No Man's Land
Snijeg	snee-yegh	Snow
Tesna koža 1, 2, 3	tesnah kohzhah jedan, dva, tri	Tight Skin 1, 2, 3

Famous Bosnian Directors

• Emir Kusturica
• Danis Tanović
• Jasmila Žbanić
• Aida Begić
• Namik Kabil
• Ivica Matić
• Bahrudin Čengić

Bosnian Cinema Vocabulary

General Vocabulary

• kinematografija - cinema
• film - movie
• glumac - actor
• glumica - actress
• scenarist - screenwriter
• reditelj - director
• kamera - camera
• montažer - editor
• svjetlo - light
• ton - sound
• producent - producer
• kino dvorana - movie theater

Types of Films

• drama - drama
• komedija - comedy
• akcioni film - action movie
• horor film - horror movie
• animirani film - animated movie
• dokumentarni film - documentary
• naučno-fantastični film - science fiction movie
• ljubavni film - romantic movie

Verbs

• produkovati film - to produce a movie
• snimiti film - to film a movie
• miksati zvuk - to mix sound
• rezati film - to edit a movie
• svirati muziku - to play music
• komponovati muziku - to compose music
• napisati scenario - to write a screenplay
• nastupiti - to perform
• glumiti - to act

Table of Contents - Bosnian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Bosnian Alphabet

• Bosnian Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Special Characters and Sounds

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Basic Bosnian Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Questions and Negations

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Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

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Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Plurals
• Personal Pronouns

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

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Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

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Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Ordering at a Restaurant

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

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Bosnian Customs and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Comparatives and Superlatives

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Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

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Hobbies and Leisure Activities

• Common Hobbies
• Sports and Fitness

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Bosnian Literature and Cinema

• Famous Writers and Works
• Bosnian Cinema

Related Lessons

• History and Geography of Bosnia
• Media and Communication
• Traditional Music and Dance
• Bosnia Herzegovina Timeline
• Arts and Literature
• Sports and Leisure
• Religion and Celebrations
• Famous Writers and Works
• Holidays and Celebrations