AS FAR AS I CAN WALK

Strahinya and his wife, Ababuo, both 28, left Ghana at the beginning of the migrant crisis. They managed to reach Germany but were deported back to Belgrade. Serbia may not be Germany, but Strahinya does his best to start a new life. He works hard to secure asylum, trying out as a football player for a local club and working as a volunteer for the Red Cross. The process, however, is lengthy and Ababuo, a passionate woman aspiring to become an actress in London, feels unfulfilled in their life. One night, a new group of Syrian refugees arrive, on their way to Western Europe. One of them is Ali, a charismatic left-wing activist. Ababuo initially mocks him, but, the very next day, leaves Serbia with him, providing no explanation. Strahinya sets off along the Balkan migrant route for completely different reasons than anyone else: for love. A re-imagining of the medieval Serbian epic poem Banovich Strahinya in which contemporary African migrants take the place of Serbian national heroes. Urgent and timeless at the same time, this adaptation raises questions about identity, tradition, race and love.

STEFAN ARSENIJEVIĆ

Stefan Arsenijević graduated Film and TV Directing from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade (Serbia), where he now teaches film directing at the Master studies. His short film (A)torsion (2003) won Golden Bear at Berlinale, European Film Academy Award and the Oscar nomination. Stefan directed one of six stories for the project Lost and Found (2005) that premiered Berlinale Forum. His first feature Love and Other Crimes (2008) premiered at Berlinale Panorama Special and later on participated at numerous international film festivals and winning awards. Stefan co-wrote feature film Practical Guide for Belgrade with Singing and Crying (premiered at Karlovy Vary 2011) with writer/director Bojan Vuletić who also directed the film. The two cooperated again on the screenplay for Stefan’s second feature As Far As I Can Walk (2021). Stefan is a Program Manager of Goethe-Institute’s professional training program for Southeast European film directors First Films First since 2015. Member of European Film Academy.

Kritike / Reviews:

It’s a surprising and exhilarating blend of contemporary refugee story, love triangle and medieval Serbian poem.

Alissa Simon, Variety

 

Serbian director Stefan Arsenijević is back with a surprising concept and an accomplished film telling the story of two African refugees looking for their place in Europe.

Vladan Petković, Cineuropa