When Santa Was a Communist

When Santa Was a Communist
Promotional release poster
Directed byEmir Kapetanović
Written byEmir Kapetanović
Vahid Duraković
Produced byEmir Kapetanović
Jasmin Duraković
Bogdan Petković
Natalija Rudić
Slaven Knezović
Daliborka Puž
Jovan Todorović
Džemal Šabić
StarringMirvad Kurić
Zana Marjanović
Miraj Grbić
Mirza Tanović
Kristin Winters
CinematographyMiksa Andjelic
Edited bySasa Pesevski
Music byAdis Sirbubalo
Production
companies
Depo
Emote Films
Eurofilm
Distributed byDepo
Release date
  • 21 August 2024 (2024-08-21) (Sarajevo)
Running time
86 minutes
CountriesBosnia and Herzegovina
Serbia
Croatia
LanguagesBosnian
English
Croatian

When Santa Was a Communist (Bosnian: Djeda Mraz u Bosni, lit. 'Santa Claus in Bosnia') is a 2024 black comedy film co-written, co-produced and directed by Emir Kapetanović.[1] Starring Mirvad Kurić, Zana Marjanović, Miraj Grbić, Mirza Tanović and Kristin Winters.[2] It is about a group of actors who travel across the country to perform a Christmas play that brings joy to children, but not to adults.[3]

Synopsis

In December 2023, a group of actors travel to smaller settlements in Bosnia and Herzegovina to perform a play about Santa Claus. The children are delighted, waiting patiently for the presentation. However, old conflicts among adults will awaken when they recognize the figure of Santa Claus as a communist.[4]

Cast

  • Mirvad Kurić as Burhan
  • Zana Marjanović as Selma
  • Miraj Grbić as Zoka
  • Mirza Tanović as Jerry
  • Kristin Winters as Ella
  • Goran Kostic as Merdzo
  • Alek Kapetanović Marjanović as Niko
  • Mara Auriel as Ivana
  • Vanessa Glodjo as Zumra
  • Saša Oručević as Ivo
  • Zijo Bajrić as Zijo
  • Miro Barnjak as Besim
  • Ajla Beganović as Receptionist
  • Semir Beganović as Groom

Production

Principal photography began on 11 March 2023, and wrapped on 3 April 2023, in Bugojno, Bosnia and Herzegovina.[5][6][7]

Release

The film had its world premiere on 21 August 2024, at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival,[8] then screened on 23 August 2024, at the 6th Avantura Film Festival,[9] on 18 October 2024, at the 13th Tuzla Film Festival,[10] and on 26 November 2024, at the 55th International Film Festival of India.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Domaći igrani film "Djeda Mraz u Bosni" imat će premijeru na SFF-u: Pogledajte trailer". Klix (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  2. ^ "Novi bh. film stiže pred publiku: Pogledajte trailer za domaću komediju 'Djeda Mraz u Bosni'". Depo. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Djeda Mraz u Bosni dobiva laskave međunarodne filmske kritike". Depo. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Svjetska premijera filma 'Djeda Mraz u Bosni' na SFF-u u Open Air programu". Radio M (in Bosnian). 6 August 2024. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  5. ^ "U Bugojnu završeno snimanje filma 'Ne skreći sa staze/Djeda Mraz u Bosni'". Federalna. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Sjajna glumačka ekipa na snimanju filma "Ne skreći sa staze" u Bugojnu". Klix (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  7. ^ Gavrić, Adrijana (26 August 2024). "Film "Djed Mraz u Bosni" nastavlja festivalskim životom: Dočekan sa oduševljenjem širom BiH". N1 (in Bosnian). Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  8. ^ "Šta se dešava kad Djeda Mraz stigne u Bosnu: I dobitnik Emmyja umiješao prste". Raport (in Bosnian). 7 August 2024. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Svjetska premijera filma Djeda Mraz u Bosni na SFF-u u Open Air programu". Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  10. ^ "Film Djeda Mraz u Bosni otvorit će 13. Tuzla Film Festival". Tuzlanski (in Croatian). 10 September 2024. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  11. ^ "When Santa Was a Comunist". Filmguide.iffigoa.org. Retrieved 2 December 2024.