Miro Barnjak, Artistic Director of the Festival in Mostar 

A FESTIVAL IN A TOWN WITHOUT A CINEMA

The crew of the film “Alive and Dead” also comprises actor and producer of the film Miro Barnjak, who is as of recently also the Artistic Director of the Festival in Mostar, the first edition of which was held late last year. Barnjak founded the festival together with his colleague, actor Slaven Knezovic, aiming at making it grow into a festival of actors’ achievements, says Miro Barnjak and adds:

“Slaven and me used the old Socialist method and first appointed ourselves to be directors. It was only later that we talked about how we would run this thing. You know how they say: ‘one throws the first kittens in the water’. We threw our first kittens down the river, but the people who were part of this first baby of our said everything went fine. You know, Mostar is a city with more than one hundred people, but with no cinema. Slaven and me met ten years ago and have been working together ever since. We have made four films, but couldn’t show them in Mostar, because we didn’t have where. In the very city where we live. By establishing this festival, we wanted to initiate the setting up of a mini cinema hall, something that would stem from our good will and initiative. The whole idea was finally well accepted in the city – we were supported by the Mayor. We wanted to show the guests of the first festival Mostar at its best. As for the audience, I hope that they will have the opportunity, as early as this year, to see that we care for film in general and that they will attend the festival in great numbers.