As Far as I Can Walk

Strahinja Banović

62nd TIFF: Greek Premiere

Strahinya and his wife, Ababuo, both 28 years old, left Ghana at the beginning of the migrant crisis. They managed to reach Germany but were deported back to Belgrade. Strahinya does his best to start a new life in this city. 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 reimagining 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.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Available at the Agora Market.

Direction: Stefan Arsenijević
Script: Stefan Arsenijević, Bojan Vuletić, Nicolas Ducray
Cinematography: Jelena Stanković
Editing: Vanja Kovačević
Sound: Zoran Maksimović, Olivier Dandré
Music: Martynas Bialobžeskis
Actors: Ibrahim Koma, Nancy Mensah-Offei, Maxim Khalil, Rami Farah, Nebojša Dugalić
Production: Art & Popcorn, Les Films Fauves, Surprise Alley, Chouchkov Brothers, ArtBox
Producers: Miroslav MogorovićStefan Mladenović (executive producer)
Co-producers: Gilles Chanial, Alice Ormières & Myrina Mané, Borislav Chouchkov, Kestutis Drazdauskas
Costumes: Carine Rando De Felice
Production Design: Zorana Petrov
Make Up: Sophie Garlinskas
Format: DCP
Color: Color
Production Country: Serbia, Luxembourg, France, Bulgaria, Lithuania
Production Year: 2021
Duration: 92'
Contact: Soul Food

Stefan Arsenijević

Stefan Arsenijević, writer and director, was born in Belgrade (Serbia) in 1977. Graduated Film and TV Directing from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, where he now teaches fi­lm directing at the master’s level. His short ­film (A)torsion (2003) won over 30 national and international awards, including the Golden Bear at Berlinale, the European Film Academy Award, and the Oscar nomination. Directed a short ­film in omnibus Lost and Found (opening ­film of Berlinale Forum 2005). Stefan's fi­rst feature Love and Other Crimes premiered at Berlinale Panorama Special in 2008 and won several awards at international festivals. Stefan is the Program Manager of Goethe Institute’s professional training program for Southeast European film directors FIRST FILMS FIRST since 2015. Member of the European Film Academy. As Far As I Can Walk is his second feature ­film premiered in Crystal Globe Competition of Karlovy Vary IFF 2021 winning 5 awards including Grand Prix Crystal Globe for the Best Film.

Filmography

2003 (A)torsion (short)
2008 Love and Other Crimes
2021 As Far as I Can Walk