A Ballad
Aida Begić
Film House, Les Films de l’Apres Midi (BA, FR), fiction
A BALLAD is a cinematic exploration of love and freedom.
MERI (30), an unambitious housewife and mother of MILA (8), returns to her parental home after ten years of marriage with HASAN (44). Soon, Meri realizes that she is a prisoner of provincial rules as well as of a complex relationship between her mother and her spoiled younger brother, an indebted gambler. In attempt to rediscover her true self, Meri auditions for a film that is to be shot in the neighborhood.
![sarajevoff-2021 - A Ballad - Stills [1368397].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2448dc0c0627144d4412a6/eed9bc57-1fe3-452b-9c05-bb0731925c63/sarajevoff-2021+-+A+Ballad+-+Stills+%5B1368397%5D.jpg)
![sarajevoff-2021 - A Ballad - Stills [1368395].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2448dc0c0627144d4412a6/10022807-4586-4261-ac27-095858df1d84/sarajevoff-2021+-+A+Ballad+-+Stills+%5B1368395%5D.jpg)
Aida Begić
Aida Begić was born in Sarajevo. Her graduation film PRVO SMRTNO ISKUSTVO/FISRT DEATH EXPERIENCE was presented at The Cinéfondation Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival. Her debut feature SNIJEG/SNOW was premiered at Cannes 2008, Semaine de la Critique where it won the Grand Prix. SNOW was nominated for a European Academy Film Award, Discovery Section. In 2009 she founded an independent production company FILM HOUSE. Her 2nd feature film DJECA/CHILDREN OF SARAJEVO premiered in Un Certain Regard, Official Selection of the Cannes FF 2012 where it won Special Distinction of the Jury. She wrote and directed short film ALBUM, part of omnibus Bridges of Sarajevo that had its world premiere as Official Selection of the Cannes FF in Special Screening section. Aida Begić is professor at The Academy of Performing Arts Sarajevo and she is member of AMPAS (American Motion Picture and Science Academy), EFA (European Film Academy), SACD (French Association for Cinema Authors) and UFRBiH (Bosnian Film Society). Her 3rd feature film BIRAKMA BENI/NEVER LEAVE ME, about Syrian orphans, is screened and awarded at many festivals around the world. At the moment she is in post production for her 4th feature film BALADA/A BALLAD.
Director’s statement:
A BALLAD was inspired by the poetic form of Bosnian traditional folk ballads, which are not a purely literary genre, as they are meant for singing or reciting to a live audience. Hasanaginica, is the best known among them. The victimized woman whose story the ballad tells has been embraced by many as the model of female perfection, with perfect woman being expected to surrender to her tragic destiny and die. I use her as a benchmark in my exploration of commonly held ideas on what constitutes female love, freedom and identity.
A Ballad unfolds in the space between different worlds and different genres and explores relationship between them. By exploring the relationship between art and reality, I am exploring the line that separates them, but also the ways in which they intertwine and the impact that they have as such.
Where are we at?
Total budget: 430.000,00 EUR
Financing in place: 340.000,00 EUR
Sales agent: /
Territories available: World, except Bosnia and Herzegovina
Looking for at CineLink?
Co-producers, Partners, Sales
Production company info:
FILM HOUSE is an independent, non-profit organization specialized in film, TV and video production, promotion and education, established in early 2009. The company’s aims are production and promotion of Bosnian-Herzegovinian film and cultural projects on the basis of international co-production.