„Quo vadis, Aida?” is the Best European Film of the year
A co-production of nine countries, including Poland – „Quo vadis, Aida?” by Jasmila Žbanić turned out to be the best film of the year at the European Film Awards. The Bosnian director also won a statuette for directing, and Jasna Duričić, who plays the title character, was chosen the best actress. The film, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, received also the Audience Award. In turn, the statuette for special effects went to the creators of the Icelandic-Polish co-production „Lamb” (Peter Hjorth and Fredrik Nord). The EFA awards gala took place on December 11 in the hybrid formula.
„Quo vadis, Aida?” has already been nominated for an Oscar in the Best International Film category, as well as for the British Academy of Film and Television Awards – BAFTA in the categories: Foreign Language Film and Directing. The film received the Independent Spirit Awards for Best International Film. Previously, it was screened at the 77th Venice International Film Festival (main competition), 45th Toronto International Film Festival, and the World Cinema section of the Busan festival.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway and Turkey participated in the production of the image. The Polish producer of the film is Ewa Puszczyńska (Extreme Emotions). The other Polish members of the team also make a significant contribution: Małgorzata Karpiuk was responsible for the costumes, Jarosław Kamiński for the editing, and Antoni Komasa-Łazarkiewicz was the author of the music.
Film plot
The drama tells the story of the Srebrenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina) massacre in 1995. Aida (Jasna Đuričić) is a UN translator in the small town of Srebrenica. When the Serbian army takes over the city, her family is among the thousands of citizens seeking refuge in a UN camp. As a person with insight into negotiations, Aida has access to key information that she needs to interpret. What’s on the horizon for her family and people – rescue or death? Which move should she make?
– It was a shock that taught us that the world can turn upside down in an instant. Life is fragile. The system is fragile. This feeling is with me all the time, says Jasmila Žbanić, director and author of the script for „Quo vadis, Aida?”.
Nominations for the Lux Audience Award
During the 34th European Film Awards Gala, there were also announced nominations for the Lux Audience Award, awarded jointly by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy in cooperation with the European Commission and the Europa Cinemas network. They are competing for the title: „Quo vadis, Aida?”, dir. Jasmila Žbanić, animated documentary „Flee”, dir. Jonas Poher Rasmussen and the Austrian drama „Great Freedom”, dir. Sebastian Meise.
On December 12, the official website of the Lux Awards launched a voting platform for viewers from all over Europe. In March 2022, MEPs will join the vote. The award ceremony will take place in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 8 June 2022.