Andrea Štaka is a Bosnian-born filmmaker, whose short films have earned her critical acclaim and numerous awards. Born in Sarajevo, she studied film in Vienna, Austria, before returning to Bosnia in 2004 to pursue her filmmaking career.
Štaka's debut feature film, Una, premiered in 2016 and received the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. The film follows the story of a Bosnian woman in exile in Switzerland who is struggling to come to terms with her past. It was widely praised for its sensitive depiction of the traumatic events of the Bosnian war.
Štaka's films often explore themes of identity, displacement, and the lingering effects of war. Her second feature film, Take a Deep Breath (2020), follows a young Bosnian-German woman's return to her homeland for the first time since the war. The film was praised for its nuanced depiction of a generational trauma and its exploration of the effects of displacement.
In addition to her feature films, Štaka has directed several shorts which have been featured in festivals around the world. Her film The Son was awarded the Grand Prize at the Sarajevo Film Festival and the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Her short films often focus on the lives of children in post-war Bosnia, exploring themes of displacement, resilience, and hope.
Štaka's work has been praised for its subtlety and attention to detail, as well as its exploration of the complex and often painful legacy of the Bosnian war. She is considered a major talent in the world of independent cinema, and her films have been widely praised by both critics and audiences alike. Her work has also been recognized by numerous awards, including the Berlinale Camera, the European Film Award, and the Sarajevo Film Festival Heart of Sarajevo.
Andrea Štaka is a remarkable talent in the world of independent cinema, and her films offer a unique and powerful insight into the effects of war and displacement. Through her work, she has given a voice to those who have suffered, and helped to shape the landscape of Bosnian cinema.
