08/20/08
Text: Cheyne Nadeau
I got into town early last week after having not enough sleep and already starting my travels in Monterrey, Mexico early in the morning the day before I left for Sarajevo, Bosnia. This is my second time in the region, so the process of getting here was a little more familiar to me, and I was more prepared for the intense jet-lag that ensued.
Since the 14th Sarajevo Film Festival started last week, the airport was full of interesting people and paparazzi looking for stars to arrive. I quickly met up with my partner in crime, Valida, and drove into Bascarsija (Old Town) for Cevapi and a couple Sarajevsko Pivo's (a favorite local beer that operated one of the only functioning factories during the war and one of the only sources of water in the city).
We did a little people watching there while catching up on the local gossip; it appears Orlando Bloom is in town, location scouting for a film about a British reporter’s diary during the war. Since this is big news for a small country, everyone around is talking about it. We did cross paths later on our way home but, being an Angelino, I had to maintain my integrity and not get star-struck. I can’t speak for my partner, but I quickly defused this situation and insisted we remain on our way.
Since the festival starts this week, everyone in the region flocks to Sarajevo to attend sold-out screenings of current regional films like The Seeker and Snijec, a Bosnian post-war film that took the opening ceremony duties and is stirring a lot of controversy here in town. There is also a Tribute to Todd Haynes screening series this week along with special screenings of Man on Wire and Shane Meadow’s new film Somers Town. Kevin Spacey will host the closing ceremony which will feature Bryan Singer’s 1995 classic, The Usual Suspects.
I will also be embracing the opportunity to attend "Coffee with Agnes B," the French designer's high-profile get-together (Charlie Kaufman and Kevin Spacey, for example, are thought to be coming as well). Everyone chats (or schmoozes?) while indulging in an unusual, extra-strong Turkish specialty coffee which is favored by locals in Bosnia.
It’s the best time of the year to be in Sarajevo, and I am looking for to the next ten days. Stay tuned, as I will be rolling out updates periodically with interviews, photos, reviews of films, extended after-parties, and my struggle to find a cold drink in this town.
