- Occupation
Director - Country
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Begović Nedzad
Totally Personal
Strikingly original, TOTALLY PERSONAL is a heart-warmingly funny documentary - feature about 47 year old filmmaker Nedzad Begovic´s memories and reflections on life growing up and living in Bosnia. A deeply moving historical document, the film includes touching personal stories of his family's survival during the war: how Begovic's mother would cut the toes off old shoes and burn them for fuel, (she knew that a size 38 shoe was big enough to provide fuel to bake o loaf of bread but that a size was needed to heat a pot of beans), and how the only source of Vitamin C for his children during the war came from the pear tree in their garden. Despite the tragedy that has befallen their country, Begovic tells his story with an uplifting and wry sense of humour. Narrating the story himself, he shares his memories through a series of loosely-connected vignettes - from having the first television on the block, to how he perceived as a successful young communist when Bosnia was part of Tito's Yugoslavia, through to adult childhood, marriage, and struggling to make the film without money in today´s post-war period. The Bosnian Film-makers'Association nominated this film for the Oscar 2006 for best foreign film.
A Cell Phone Movie
The author is exploring the areas of artistic freedom within the limitations of the mobile phone. He uses the voice recording option and records everyday phone conversations. In this way, he develops a spontaneous, amusing and emotional ‘spy’ story about the daily routine. The film is based on the idea of a pronounced minimal realization, in rudimentary form, neglecting the rules of classical film expression. With respect to the fact that there are five billion active mobile phones on the planet, the author makes a film which sports contemporary ‘youtube’ or ‘mobile’ aesthetics.
Strikingly original, TOTALLY PERSONAL is a heart-warmingly funny documentary - feature about 47 year old filmmaker Nedzad Begovic´s memories and reflections on life growing up and living in Bosnia. A deeply moving historical document, the film includes touching personal stories of his family's survival during the war: how Begovic's mother would cut the toes off old shoes and burn them for fuel, (she knew that a size 38 shoe was big enough to provide fuel to bake o loaf of bread but that a size was needed to heat a pot of beans), and how the only source of Vitamin C for his children during the war came from the pear tree in their garden. Despite the tragedy that has befallen their country, Begovic tells his story with an uplifting and wry sense of humour. Narrating the story himself, he shares his memories through a series of loosely-connected vignettes - from having the first television on the block, to how he perceived as a successful young communist when Bosnia was part of Tito's Yugoslavia, through to adult childhood, marriage, and struggling to make the film without money in today´s post-war period. The Bosnian Film-makers'Association nominated this film for the Oscar 2006 for best foreign film.
A Cell Phone Movie
The author is exploring the areas of artistic freedom within the limitations of the mobile phone. He uses the voice recording option and records everyday phone conversations. In this way, he develops a spontaneous, amusing and emotional ‘spy’ story about the daily routine. The film is based on the idea of a pronounced minimal realization, in rudimentary form, neglecting the rules of classical film expression. With respect to the fact that there are five billion active mobile phones on the planet, the author makes a film which sports contemporary ‘youtube’ or ‘mobile’ aesthetics.
During Nedzad Begovic's career as a director and writer, his films have been presented in more than 250 cities worldwide. He has worked in animation, documentary and television and has won numerous awards, including the Best Short Film in Belgrade (1991), Best Animation in Belgrade (1985), and has received several special jury recognition awards from international festivals, including Belgrade (1987), Stuttgart (1986), Tampere (1986) and Krakow (1985). In 1989, the Ministry of Culuture for Bosnia and Herzegovina awarded him the title of Independent Artist. In 2004, he directed Totally Personal, his first feature documentary.