Never Leave Me by Aida Begić has been selected by the Association of Filmmakers of Bosnia and Herzegovina as the official entry from Bosnia and Herzegovina for the US Academy Awards in the Foreign Language Film category.
Never Leave Me / Birakma beni, which takes on the refugee crisis from the angle of three displaced Syrian boys, was produced by Aida Begić through Film House Sarajevo.
This year’s candidate film “Never Leave Me” was premiered at the Antalya Film Festival last year, and the screening in BH cinemas started yesterday. The film was also screened this year at Sarajevo Film Festival within programs “BH Film” and “In Focus”, and it went to dozens of world festivals, including the famous Edinburgh Film Festival.
“Never Leave Me” is a story of pain, the search for the meaning of life and friendship of orphans. Syrian boys Isa, Ahmed and Muataz live a hard life as refugees in the magical mythical town of Sanliurfa in Turkey. The film was recorded at authentic locations in Sanliurfa and with Syrian refugees.
The Academy Award is awarded by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences AMPAS, and it is one of the most important awards in the world of film art. The awarding ceremony is one of the most watched television programs all over the United States and the whole world.
The Foreign Language Film category shortlist will be announced on 22 January 2019 and the 91st Academy Awards will be held on 24 February 2019.
