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IMDbPro

Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams

Original title: Grbavica
  • 20062006
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams (2006)
  • Drama
A woman and her daughter struggle to make their way through the aftermath of the Bosnian War.A woman and her daughter struggle to make their way through the aftermath of the Bosnian War.A woman and her daughter struggle to make their way through the aftermath of the Bosnian War.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jasmila Zbanic
  • Writer
    • Jasmila Zbanic
  • Stars
    • Mirjana Karanovic
    • Luna Zimic Mijovic
    • Leon Lucev
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jasmila Zbanic
  • Writer
    • Jasmila Zbanic
  • Stars
    • Mirjana Karanovic
    • Luna Zimic Mijovic
    • Leon Lucev
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 30User reviews
    • 59Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 12 wins & 7 nominations

    Photos

    Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams (2006)
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    Top cast

    Edit
    Mirjana Karanovic
    Mirjana Karanovic
    • Esmaas Esma
    Luna Zimic Mijovic
    Luna Zimic Mijovic
    • Saraas Sara
    • (as Luna Mijovic)
    Leon Lucev
    Leon Lucev
    • Peldaas Pelda
    Kenan Catic
    • Samiras Samir
    Jasna Beri
    Jasna Beri
    • Sabinaas Sabina
    • (as Jasna Ornela Berry)
    Dejan Acimovic
    • Cengaas Cenga
    Bogdan Diklic
    Bogdan Diklic
    • Saranas Saran
    Emir Hadzihafizbegovic
    Emir Hadzihafizbegovic
    • Puskaas Puska
    Ermin Bravo
    Ermin Bravo
    • Teacher Muhaas Teacher Muha
    Semka Sokolovic-Bertok
    • Pelda's Motheras Pelda's Mother
    • (as Semka Sokolovic)
    Maike Höhne
    • Jabolkaas Jabolka
    Jasna Zalica
    Jasna Zalica
    • Plemaas Plema
    Nada Djurevska
    • Aunt Safijaas Aunt Safija
    Emina Muftic
    • Vasvijaas Vasvija
    • (as Minka Muftic)
    Dunja Pasic
    • Milaas Mila
    Sedina Muhibic
    • Majaas Maja
    Sabina Turulja
    • Zehraas Zehra
    Vanessa Glodjo
    • Dzemilaas Dzemila
    • (as Vanesa Glodjo)
    • Director
      • Jasmila Zbanic
    • Writer
      • Jasmila Zbanic
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Grbavica is a district of Sarajevo and translates to "hunchbacked woman".
    • Quotes

      Saran: You have a husband, child... that stuff?

      Esma: No.

      Saran: Only fools have children at this time and day.

    • Connections
      Featured in Smagsdommerne: Episode #5.12 (2007)

    User reviews30

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Rape Of Soul
    'Grbavica' is yet another superlative film coming from Bosnia. Firmly walking in the footsteps of Bosnian Best Foreign Language Film winner 'No Man's Land', the film trails a promising future for the fledging Bosnian film industry. This small, understated production is the proof-positive of the vibrancy of the Eastern European Cinema. A pioneering feature effort by the writer/director Jasmila Zbanic, the film has already been accoladed the prestigious Golden Bear at this year's Berlin International Film Festival and is sure to be a strong contender when it hits International festival circuit.

    Ms Zbanic has created a quiet, sentimental and feminine picture of the war's aftermath and the emotional toll the war inflicts on a mother/daughter relationship. She assuredly, with a hand of a born film-maker, creates a small but potent film which is a startling reminder of cinema's transcendental powers.

    'Grbavica' is sure to snuggle in the same underrated niche of anti-war movies that deal with lasting trauma on the psyche of war survivors. Movies like Hal Ashby's unforgettable 'Coming Home' or Russian 1959's classic 'Balad of a Soldier'.

    The picture's lasting impact owes much to the haunting performance of Mirjana Karanovic, a consummate artist who has, for over a decade, been the most decorated and awarded actress coming from war-torn former Yugoslavia. In Esma, Mirjana has entered the body and soul of a tormented war victim with a dark secret, and thus given us yet another performance to talk about. Her daughter Sara is expertly played by the little Luna Mijovic in a film debut reminiscent of Natalie Portman's career-launching role in Luc Besson's 'The Professional'.

    Variety's Russell Edwards pinpointed film's main shortcoming: '...the film is all set up and little pay off'. Indeed, although well-rounded and balanced, 'Grbavica' lacks complexity and dramatic density. A story thread is missing, a counterpoint of sorts, that would have enriched its thematic appeal and elevated its dramatic tension.

    Even the best of war movies, intentionally or not, on some level or another could be seen as one-sided and propagandist. It took more than a hundred years of cinema for a film-maker to come along who realized this inherent danger in making war movies. 'Flags Of Our Fathers' is a solid war movie with a strong anti-war message. But who could blame some Japanese for seeing it as anti-Japanese. That's why the old man Clint, creating cinematic history, has given us 'Letters of Iwo Jima', the version of the same battle seen through the Japanese point-of-view.

    Unspeakable atrocities are committed in any war. It would be idealistic if not idiotic to expect that a humane war could ever be waged. Both sides commit them, the stronger always more than the weaker. Had Ms. Zbanic weaved a story thread that would have touched upon this unfortunate reality, her subtle and soulful feature debut would have radiated universality of a true masterpiece.
    helpful•18
    6
    • Charles_LePoje
    • Jan 11, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 6, 2006 (Germany)
    • Countries of origin
      • Bosnia and Herzegovina
      • Croatia
      • Austria
      • Germany
    • Official sites
      • Coop99 (Austria)
      • Official site (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
    • Language
      • Bosnian
    • Also known as
      • Esma's Secret - Grbavica
    • Filming locations
      • Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
    • Production companies
      • Coop99 Filmproduktion
      • Deblokada
      • Noirfilm Filmproduktion
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $43,460
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,977
      • Feb 18, 2007
    • Gross worldwide
      • $848,073
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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