The 31st Sarajevo Film Festival, scheduled for 15–22 August, has placed Russian filmmaker Ilya Khrzhanovskiy at the centre of its “Tribute to” programme, confirming screenings of two DAU chapters and a public masterclass during the week-long event.
Festival posts on Instagram highlight DAU. Natasha and DAU. Degeneration—both previously bowing at Berlin—while press notes say the director will also take part in an on-stage conversation with regional critics.
DAU’s production remains one of modern cinema’s most audacious undertakings: across a decade, Khrzhanovskiy built a sealed Soviet-era institute, filmed more than 700 hours of unscripted material and asked thousands of non-professional participants to live under 1950s conditions.
The result has drawn both awards and alarm; DAU. Natasha in particular prompted allegations of psychological abuse and violent exploitation when it premiered in 2020. Supporters call the work a radical exploration of totalitarian mindsets, while detractors liken its methods to unethical experimentation.
Khrzhanovskiy’s invitation arrives during a festival edition that again foregrounds Ukrainian cinema—four features from Kyiv-based teams are in competition, and a separate fellowship brings Ukrainian producers to CineLink industry meetings.
Some Ukrainian commentators on social media have questioned honouring a Russian artist amid the ongoing war, arguing the platform could blur lines between artistic provocation and moral responsibility. Festival organisers have not addressed the criticism publicly but note that the “Tribute to” slot traditionally recognises filmmakers who challenge narrative form and production practice.
Also Read
Beyond the Khrzhanovskiy spotlight, the 2025 edition includes a Human Rights Day with panels on healthcare access and statelessness, continuing Sarajevo’s blend of glamour and advocacy that dates to its wartime origins. With jury president Sergei Loznitsa presiding over 50 titles, and DAU certain to ignite debate, this year’s festival appears set to marry cinematic risk with pressing geopolitical conversation in a city long accustomed to both.
