Variety has been given exclusive access to the trailer for Una Gunjak’s debut feature “Excursion,” which is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entry for the Oscars’ international feature film category. Salaud Morisset is handling international sales.
HBO Europe has just picked up the SVOD and pay TV rights to the movie in 15 countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
“Excursion” received a special mention from the Filmmakers of the Present jury of the Locarno Film Festival, and was selected to play at 30 festivals. It has been selected for the European Film Awards shortlist.
The film looks at how young people’s approach to love and intimacy is influenced by their peer group. The film centers on Iman, a teenager who is seeking validation and who claims she had sex for the first time during a game of “truth or dare” among middle schoolers. What ensues is a web of lies – including one involving her own supposed pregnancy – that ends in an out-of-control controversy.
“The most important thing is that a woman has a choice, but not every choice is a feminist one,” Gunjak said. “I want to empower young girls, but at the same time, I want to show that power also comes with responsibility.”
“We are thrilled by the overwhelming recognition ‘Excursion’ has garnered,” said François Morisset of Salaud Morisset. “The journey of ‘Excursion’ has been nothing short of remarkable. Our partnership with HBO marks a significant milestone, opening doors for a wider audience to discover this extraordinary film.”
The film played in competition at the Sarajevo Film Festival and is set to play at FilmFestival Schlingel and Cottbus (Germany)l, Alice Nella Città (Rome, Italy), Mostra Internacional de Cinema de São Paulo (Brazil), Cinemed – Festival du cinéma méditerranéen de Montpellier (France), Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Estonia), and Zagreb Film Festival (Croatia).
The producers are Amra Bakšić Čamo and Adis Djapo for SCCA/pro.ba, Jelena Mitrović for Baš Čelik, Siniša Jurišić for Nukleus Film, Gary Cranner for Mer Film, Doha Film Institute and Morisset for Salaud Morisset.
Gunjak’s short film “The Chicken” won the European Film Awards in 2014.