By Harriet Crawford
At 9pm on a Monday, the main drag along the river – away from the National Library, past the National Theatre – tends to be quiet apart from the stream of cars. The few shops are closed and the river-front pavements nearly empty. But then as one approaches Kriterion, a hum is audible. People buzz around its open front, the glass doors pushed wide so that pavement and bar are one. The sound emanates from the young Sarajevans draped on the sofas, smoking, chatting, drinking.
Kriterion is a not-for-profit art house cinema, and also an exhibition and conference area, café and bar. It aims to use the versatile space to develop civil society by supporting young people expand their experience of the arts.
On Monday night Kriterion held a stand-up night in English (Sarajevo’s first, apparently) with American comic Peter Greyy, Zagreb-based Pedja Bajović and other local comedians. What Kriterion is better known for, though, is its ongoing film – ‘filmski’ – programme, which often features English-language flicks. On the Road, Jane Eyre and Angels’ Share are but a few of the past screenings. Regional talent is often highlighted and Serbian filmmaker Zoran Lisinac’s debut as a feature film director, Along the Roadside, is now showing until 6 May.
If you go to a show or screening, it is worth tearing yourself away from the bar in time to nab one of the grey armchairs or orange sofas that make up the first five rows. And then you can sit back and sip your cold beer smugly.
