During the filming of the artistic documentary “The Curse” by author Ferida Abdagic, there was a twist that documentary filmmakers can only wish for. The film was conceived as a symbolic “digging for the truth,” an exploration of family and local past through confronting the traumas of a childhood marked by war. However, the filming process unexpectedly opened the door to prehistory: an archaeological site with human remains and artifacts was discovered, for which preliminary estimates indicate that they date from the Bronze Age, that is, 1.200 years before the new era.
The find was immediately reported to the municipal administration of Donji Vakuf, the Homeland Museum of Travnik, and the Cantonal Institute for the Protection of Cultural-Historical Heritage. Thus, the story of the film, which deals, among other things, with memory and heritage, also gained an entirely real, archaeological dimension. In addition, representatives of the competent institutions also expressed support for the idea that this significant discovery should be the first step toward establishing a homeland collection in Donji Vakuf.
“Documentary filmmakers usually dream of such a moment – that reality itself offers a twist that surpasses any imagined dramaturgy. My film started from a personal and local story, in my hometown, Prusac, and now also bears witness to the continuity of life thousands of years old. That is a very important proof for me of the idea I wanted to emphasize with the film, a reminder that our foundations are much older than we think. I hope that perhaps we could start building our identity on that, and not on details that create divisions in society,” said Abdagic.
This artistic documentary is in the final phase of production and, using magical realism, brings an entirely new angle for confronting the past, but also a message for greater care of cultural heritage.
“My film will now also have a stronger focus on responsibility not only toward the people with whom we share the present, but also toward those who lived here long before us. I am happy that my main interlocutor on that subject is my Prusac, a great and inspiring open-air museum,” added the author.
The artistic documentary “The Curse – no one will return to their home, until we all return to our home” is an independent authorial project by author Ferida Abdagic. The main producer of the film is Claudia Zini, director of Kuma International – Center for Research of Visual Arts in Post-Conflict Societies.
The filming was supported by the Municipality of Donji Vakuf, led by Mayor Senad Selimovic, as well as the Ministry of Education, Science, Youth, Culture, and Sports of Central Bosnia Canton (CBC).
The filming of this film began this summer in Prusac, based on the short story of the same name presented at the Sarajevo Film Festival in 2024. The premiere of the film is expected in the second half of 2026.
