Angelina Jolie has become an honorary citizen of Sarajevo at the city's film festival, in recognition of her film about Bosnia's 1992-1995 war.
![]()
![]()
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - US superstar Angelina Jolie, whose recent directorial debut dealt with the 1992-95 war in Bosnia, arrived on Saturday, July 7, as a special guest of the Sarajevo Film Festival.
Jolie is to be made an honorary citizen of Sarajevo during her stay, an honor first announced in April, for her efforts in "keeping the truth about wartime events in Sarajevo and Bosnia-Hercegovina alive".
The award is given by the Sarajevo county every year to a foreign national who promotes humanity, democracy and tolerance.
Jolie's film "In the Land of Blood and Honey" -- shot in 2010 with several actors from the former Yugoslavia, and premiered in 2011 -- dealt with the issues of war crimes.
"This means so much to me. My heart is in this city. The time I spent and the people I met in Bosnia have changed me for ever. I can't tell you how much it means to me to be named an honorary citizen of Sarajevo, a city so dear to my heart." said a tearful Jolie when given her award.
The honour was presented to her by the prime minister of the Sarajevo Canton. In the Land of Blood and Honey, which features stark scenes of rape, executions and other war crimes, was first screened in Sarajevo last December.
Some Bosnian Serbs called for the film to be banned, saying it portrayed them as villains, but others said they wanted the film to be shown.
It was nominated for a Golden Globe earlier this year for best foreign language film.
Jolie was also attending the Sarajevo Film Festival to promote young talent in Bosnia.
"The Sarajevo Film Festival is such an important event to focus the world's attention on the art, the music and the immense talent in the region," Jolie was quoted as saying in a statement issued by organisers.
Jolie spoke about her experiences of numerous visits to conflict or poverty-stricken areas in her role as UNHCR goodwill ambassador.
The Sarajevo Film Festival -- born as an act of resistance when the Bosnian capital was under siege during the 1992-1995 war -- has has grown to be one of the largest in Europe.
Angelina Jolie smiles at fans before the 18th Sarajevo Film Festival.![]()
Angelina Jolie speaks during the Talent Campus of the 18th Sarajevo Film Festival.
![]()
![]()
![]()
with Edin Džeko
![]()
![]()
source
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - US superstar Angelina Jolie, whose recent directorial debut dealt with the 1992-95 war in Bosnia, arrived on Saturday, July 7, as a special guest of the Sarajevo Film Festival.
Jolie is to be made an honorary citizen of Sarajevo during her stay, an honor first announced in April, for her efforts in "keeping the truth about wartime events in Sarajevo and Bosnia-Hercegovina alive".
The award is given by the Sarajevo county every year to a foreign national who promotes humanity, democracy and tolerance.
Jolie's film "In the Land of Blood and Honey" -- shot in 2010 with several actors from the former Yugoslavia, and premiered in 2011 -- dealt with the issues of war crimes.
"This means so much to me. My heart is in this city. The time I spent and the people I met in Bosnia have changed me for ever. I can't tell you how much it means to me to be named an honorary citizen of Sarajevo, a city so dear to my heart." said a tearful Jolie when given her award.
The honour was presented to her by the prime minister of the Sarajevo Canton. In the Land of Blood and Honey, which features stark scenes of rape, executions and other war crimes, was first screened in Sarajevo last December.
Some Bosnian Serbs called for the film to be banned, saying it portrayed them as villains, but others said they wanted the film to be shown.
It was nominated for a Golden Globe earlier this year for best foreign language film.
Jolie was also attending the Sarajevo Film Festival to promote young talent in Bosnia.
"The Sarajevo Film Festival is such an important event to focus the world's attention on the art, the music and the immense talent in the region," Jolie was quoted as saying in a statement issued by organisers.
Jolie spoke about her experiences of numerous visits to conflict or poverty-stricken areas in her role as UNHCR goodwill ambassador.
The Sarajevo Film Festival -- born as an act of resistance when the Bosnian capital was under siege during the 1992-1995 war -- has has grown to be one of the largest in Europe.
Angelina Jolie speaks during the Talent Campus of the 18th Sarajevo Film Festival.
with Edin Džeko
source