By Teodora Ružić

The Sarajevo Film Festival was one of the best experiences of my life, not only because of all the incredible films I had the opportunity to see, but also because of the brilliant people and artists I met. In this blog, I want to share two very special interviews I had the chance to conduct with two extraordinary women. Their ideas, their work, and their belief in the power of change deeply inspired me, and I believe their voices are exactly what the world needs right now.

Danielle Turkov Wilson: Holding Leaders Accountable and Believing in Youth

One of the most remarkable films at the Festival was Facing War, directed by Tommy Gulliksen and produced by Anne Marte Blindheim and Danielle Turkov Wilson. The film follows NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg during his final year, as he tries to balance promises of support for Ukraine with growing fears of war in Europe.

After the screening, I had the privilege to interview Danielle. She was warm, open, and generous with her time. Danielle was also the co-producer of The Cave, which was nominated for an Academy Award. She is the founder and executive director of Think-Film Impact Productions, and previously worked as a policy adviser in the European Parliament alongside Martin Schulz (the former President of the European Parliament), focusing on issues such as deradicalization, women’s rights, and minority inclusion.

When I asked her what message she would share with young people in the Western Balkans and what she believes they can bring to the EU, she told me:

“I think young people are everything for society; they define what will be. What this film is about is showing you that you can hold those in power accountable and fight for peace. But if you don’t vote, if you don’t engage, you run the risk of being represented by someone who doesn’t want peace. This film shows that there are people fighting for peace, not waging war.”

I then asked her if she believes that the voices of young people fighting for peace are truly heard by world leaders. She responded:

“Civil movements are rising, and young people are the largest part of them. You must be courageous enough to stay united- not just one lone voice, but hundreds of thousands standing together. Because when you are united and protest peacefully, you have power. In a world where the laws don’t defend you, you must unite in masses to defend your own freedom.”

Danielle’s words stayed with me. She truly believes in the power of young people and in the importance of their voices. It was inspiring to hear such a strong political and artistic figure express so much faith in the next generation.

Christina Bartson: Cinema, Resistance, and Finding Connection Through Art

Another unforgettable encounter was with Christina Bartson, one of the most inspiring young artists I met during SFF. Christina is a filmmaker and archivist based in London, though she was born and raised in the United States. She presented her short film Also Resisters at the Festival, a moving and thought-provoking piece that reworks footage from the U.S. Department of Defense. The film explores how militarism abroad and militarism at home in the United States fueled and reinforced one another.

When I asked Christina what inspired her to create the film, she explained that it began with a book titled We’ve Been Invaded by the 21st Century, the only essay collection by David McReynolds, published in 1968. McReynolds, an eccentric and charismatic socialist, was well known in leftist circles in New York. Christina told me that she was struck by the lyrical quality of his language and his deep respect for the student movement of his time.

Her film became an intergenerational dialogue. Just as McReynolds was politicized by a war he did not believe in (the American war in Vietnam), Christina described how she found herself confronting her own grief and rage while witnessing the beginnings of genocide unfold in Palestine, violence funded by her own country’s tax dollars. As she put it:

“The project really began with me trying to locate my own grief and rage of watching genocide unfold in Palestine, sponsored by my tax dollars. It’s this intergenerational dialogue about what it means to be politicized by a war you don’t believe in, while living in the heart of the empire.”

Our conversation then turned to the role of art. I asked her whether she believes art can help us understand the world better and even make it a better place. She answered:

“I don’t think I would do this if I didn’t believe it could ultimately create some kind of shift. Even if that change only happens on a personal level, rather than on a large scale. Cinema is about having a beating heart- it’s about affect. It’s about recognizing something in yourself on screen and feeling moved by it. Art is what I cling to when I’m lonely, heartbroken, or frustrated, it makes me feel less alone.”

Her words resonated with me profoundly. I couldn’t agree more: art remains. It is extraordinary, and it speaks differently to each of us. Whether painting, dancing, singing, acting, or filmmaking, art is what people live for – it connects us, comforts us, and reminds us of our shared humanity.

Meeting Christina again after the interview, I found her to be just as open-minded, articulate, and kind. Her work deserves to be seen by many, and her voice deserves to be heard by the world. Her soul is so pure and designated for only those who know how to appriciate her mind as well as her heart. She is brilliant, honest, and deeply thoughtful. I have no doubt that we will be seeing much more of her art in the future, and I hope our friendship continues to grow.

Closing Thoughts

The Sarajevo Film Festival was not only about films, but also about people—about conversations that stay with you long after the red carpets are rolled up and the theaters go dark. From Danielle Turkov Wilson’s passionate belief in the power of youth to Christina Bartson’s moving reflections on art and resistance, I left Sarajevo feeling inspired and hopeful.

Soon, I’ll be sharing more about another unforgettable encounter- a Hollywood star who gave a powerful masterclass on cinema and acting. Stay tuned.