E9 • The Passage of Time • BRUNO ANKOVIĆ, dir. of ‘Celebration’ at the Karlovy Vary Int. Film Festival

On today’s episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Bruno Anković about his new film ‘Celebration’, which premiered at this years Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Crystal Globe competition. We dive into the themes and storytelling techniques used in ‘Celebration’, which explores the cyclical nature of history and the challenges of portraying the passage of time through different actors. We also discuss Bruno’s cinema influences, including Michael Haneke’s ‘The White Ribbon’ (2009) and Jim Sheridan’s ‘The Field’ (1990). Other past inspiration includes the Croatian films ‘Handcuffs’ (Croatian title - “Lisice”), dir. Krsto Papić (1969) and ‘The Birch Tree’ (Croatian title - “Breza”), dir. Antę Babaja (1967). The discussion also provides insights into Bruno’s creative process and the connection between personal experiences and artistic expression. It explores the challenges of making a film that tackles sensitive topics and the importance of creating dialogue and understanding. Bruno discusses the political and social context of the Balkans region and the ongoing tensions that exist. His film ‘Celebration’ aims to shed light on why young people can be drawn to extreme ideologies, and the impact of poverty and lack of education. Short Ends The current cinema landscape is influenced by past films and filmmakers like Michael Haneke and Jim Sheridan, and it is important to appreciate and learn from their work. The passage of time can be effectively portrayed through storytelling techniques such as nonlinear narratives and the use of different actors to represent different stages of a character's life. Filmmaking is a powerful medium for exploring historical and social themes, and it allows for a deeper understanding of the cyclical nature of history. Personal experiences and cultural backgrounds can shape the creative process and influence the themes and storytelling choices in a film. Filmmaking can be a powerful tool for addressing sensitive topics and creating dialogue and understanding. The Balkans region continues to face political and social tensions, and the film ‘Celebration’ aims to shed light on these issues. The film explores the reasons why young people can be drawn to extreme ideologies, highlighting the impact of poverty and lack of education. Film festivals play a crucial role in promoting and distributing independent films, and sales agents are important in navigating the industry. What Movies Are You Watching? Listen to all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more, as well as at www.pastpresentfeature.com. Like, subscribe, and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature The Past Present Feature Film Festival - Nov. 20-22, 2026 in Hollywood, CA - Submit at filmfreeway.com/PastPresentFeature