The prestigious Honorary Heart of Sarajevo was presented to Emily Watson, celebrating an extraordinary career highlighted by her iconic, award-winning performance in Lars von Trier’s BREAKING THE WAVES.
Tonight, the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo was presented at the National Theater to Emily Watson, one of the world’s most acclaimed actresses with a series of award-winning film, television, and theater roles. In addition to receiving this prestigious recognition, Emily Watson is presiding over the Competition Programme – Feature Film jury at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, and will also hold a Masterclass on Wednesday, August 19, at 10 am.
The Honorary Heart of Sarajevo was presented to Emily Watson by Mirsad Purivatra, founder of the Sarajevo Film Festival and president of the Obala Art Center Association.
“In 1996, at the second Sarajevo Film Festival, we screened Lars von Trier’s BREAKING THE WAVES. I still remember seeing that film for the first time while preparing the Festival’s programme. It was one of the most powerful cinematic experiences of my life. At the heart of it was Emily Watson. It was her very first film role, and one of those extraordinary performances that announce the arrival of a great actress. Emily first came to Sarajevo in 2005, as a curator of the Katrin Cartlidge Foundation. But I remember that visit for another reason. Emily was expecting her first child. I like to say she didn’t come to Sarajevo alone. Juliet came with her, too. And tonight, twenty-one years later, they are back here together!, said Mirsad Purivatra, adding that he is especially happy tonight because “we can finally celebrate not only her extraordinary career, but also her long friendship with Sarajevo,” said Purivatra.
Actor Stellan Skarsgård, winner of the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo at the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival, with whom Watson starred in the film BREAKING THE WAVES, addressed the ceremony via video message.
“Sarajevo has a festival we are very fond of. It is a Festival that better of anyone knows the importance of art In dire violence of times. Now they are finally giving you the Heart of Sarajevo. You should have every actress award ever. You are not only one of the greatest actors and artists, but you are true warm human being. A good one. They will treat you well and you will have a wonderful wonderful time,” said Skarsgård.
Lastly, Emily Watson addressed the audience. “Thank you very much. As you can hear from the story, this Festival has been a very, very precious part of my journey as an actor. This feels very surreal to me. I brought my children here as I feel, of all the festivals in the world, this festival has a spiritual heart. My good friend Jessie Buckley has recently described acting as going into work with your heart in your hand and I think that has been a great privilege of my life, being a part of that army of storytellers. This city knows more, as Stellan said, than any other, the power and fighting nature of …. I want to dedicate this award to Katrine”, concluded Watson.
A gala screening of Lars von Trier’s film BREAKING THE WAVES, starring Watson in the lead role, also held tonight at the National Theater. That performance earned her the European Film – Award for Actress of the Year, the Evening Standard British Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer, the London Film Critics’ Award for Best British Newcomer of the Year, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s New Generation Award and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress. She also received Best Actress award nominations for the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTA Film Awards for this role.
Her notable film credits also include A24’s God’s Creatures opposite Paul Mescal, Small Things Like These alongside Cillian Murphy, for which she was awarded the prestigious Silver Bear for Best Supporting Actress at the Berlinale, Netflix drama Steve, A24 fantasy epic The Legend Of Ochi, opposite Willem Dafoe, Finn Wolfhard and Helena Zengel, Richard Eyre’s BBC production of King Lear, On Chesil Beach, Hilary and Jackie, Gosford Park, Punch-Drunk Love, Red Dragon, War Horse, The Book Thief, Testament Of Youth, Everest, Multiple Award-Winning The Theory Of Everything, Molly Moon, Anna Karenina, Belle, Some Girl(s), Cemetery Junction, Miss Potter, The Water Horse, The Corpse Bride, Angela’s Ashes, The Boxer, and Metroland.
Emily’s television credits include Chernobyl alongside Jared Harris and Stellan Skarsgård, The Dresser, Apple Tree Yard, ITV mini-series Too Close, HBO’s interactive drama The Third Day opposite Jude Law and Naomie Harris, The BBC/PBS adaptation of Little Women and the Emmy nominated drama series Genius. Emily’s theatre credits are extensive, including many productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In 2002, she received critical acclaim for her starring roles in Uncle Vanya and Twelfth Night at the Donmar Warehouse. The shows ran concurrently, and were both directed by Sam Mendes.
Last year Emily was awarded the prestigious Richard Harris Award at the 2025 BIFAs, which recognised her outstanding contribution to British film. Other accolades include the Joseph Plateau Honorary Award at Gent Film Festival (2024), the Lifetime Achievement Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival (2015) and the Best Actress BAFTA award (2011) for her role in Appropriate Adult.
