Sandra Wollner and ‘Everytime’ Hit Sarajevo on the Festival Circuit: “You Can Feel the History Here”

Austrian filmmaker Sandra Wollner is making waves on the festival circuit with her thought-provoking feature film, Everytime. Premiering in Un Certain Regard at Cannes in May, the film is now screening in competition at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, a testament to Wollner's rising star in the world of cinema.

Background & Context

Sandra Wollner's journey as a filmmaker has been marked by a unique blend of surrealism and emotional depth. Her previous films have explored themes of grief, blame, and memory, setting the stage for Everytime, a poignant tale of a mother, her young daughter, and a teenage boy navigating the complexities of loss. The film's use of time-bending narrative and blurring of past and present has garnered attention from critics, with many praising Wollner's ability to inject unease into ordinary events.

The Sarajevo Film Festival, founded in 1995 during the siege of the Bosnian capital, has become a beacon for independent filmmakers and a platform for showcasing stories that resonate with the human experience. Wollner's presence at the festival, accompanied by her partner and one-year-old daughter, is a testament to the personal and professional connections she has forged in the world of cinema.

Key Details

Everytime follows the journey of a mother and her family as they travel to Tenerife in an attempt to cope with the tragic death of their eldest daughter and sister. The film's use of surrealism and non-linear narrative adds a layer of complexity to the story, inviting the audience to reflect on the nature of grief and loss. Birgit Minichmayr leads the cast, bringing depth and nuance to the characters.

Wollner's experience at Cannes, where Everytime premiered in Un Certain Regard, has been a defining moment in her career. In a recent interview, she described the experience as "overwhelming in a good way," acknowledging the platform and audience that the festival provided. Her film's presence at the Sarajevo Film Festival is a testament to her ability to connect with audiences and critics alike, and to navigate the complexities of the festival circuit.

What Experts Say

Wollner's talent for injecting unease into ordinary events has been praised by critics, who have noted her ability to create a sense of tension and unease through her use of narrative and visual elements. The film's use of surrealism and non-linear narrative has also been highlighted as a key aspect of its success, allowing the audience to reflect on the nature of grief and loss in a unique and thought-provoking way.

As the film industry continues to evolve, Wollner's commitment to making films that don't have to prove their commercial value before they exist is a beacon of hope for independent filmmakers. Her presence at the Sarajevo Film Festival is a testament to her dedication to her craft and her ability to connect with audiences and critics alike.

Key Takeaways

• Everytime, Sandra Wollner's third feature film, is a poignant tale of a mother, her young daughter, and a teenage boy navigating the complexities of loss.
• The film's use of surrealism and non-linear narrative has been praised by critics, who have noted its ability to create a sense of tension and unease.
• The Sarajevo Film Festival, founded in 1995, has become a beacon for independent filmmakers and a platform for showcasing stories that resonate with the human experience.
• Sandra Wollner's commitment to making films that don't have to prove their commercial value before they exist is a beacon of hope for independent filmmakers.

What This Means For You

The success of Everytime at the Sarajevo Film Festival is a reminder that the film industry is full of talented and innovative filmmakers who are pushing the boundaries of storytelling. For audiences, this means that there is a wealth of new and exciting stories to discover, and for filmmakers, it means that there is a growing demand for unique and thought-provoking narratives.

As Wollner continues to make waves in the film industry, her commitment to her craft and her ability to connect with audiences and critics alike will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of filmmakers. Her presence at the Sarajevo Film Festival is a testament to the power of independent cinema, and a reminder that the best stories are often the ones that challenge and provoke us in unexpected ways.

As Everytime takes center stage at the Sarajevo Film Festival, it's clear that Sandra Wollner is a filmmaker to watch. With her unique blend of surrealism and emotional depth, she is pushing the boundaries of storytelling and inspiring a new generation of filmmakers to do the same.