Lordan Zafranović (1930 - 2019) was a Croatian film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for his Academy Award-nominated film “The Harvest” (1965).
Born in Zagreb, Croatia, Zafranović was the son of a lawyer and grew up surrounded by the rich cultural heritage of the city. He attended the renowned Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb and quickly developed a passion for filmmaking. After graduating, he began his career as a documentarist, making several documentaries for television and radio.
In the 1960s, Zafranović made his feature film debut with The Harvest, a drama about a family living in a rural village. The film was well-received by critics and audiences alike, and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
In the 1970s, Zafranović continued to make critically acclaimed films, including the costume drama “The Golden Calf” (1972) and the comedy-drama “The Secret of Nikola Tesla” (1980). He also directed the epic “The Battle of Sutjeska” (1973), which was based on the actual events of World War II in Yugoslavia.
In the 1980s, Zafranović shifted his focus to directing television films and miniseries. He directed the acclaimed mini-series “The Land of Zebu” (1984) and the drama “The Croatian Spring” (1985). He also wrote and directed the feature film “The Voice of the Heart” (1991).
In the 1990s, Zafranović directed several films for Croatian television, including the award-winning drama “The Old House of Flowers” (1994). He also wrote the screenplay for the drama “The Unconquered” (1995).
Throughout his career, Zafranović was recognized for his accomplishments, including being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2004.
Lordan Zafranović was a celebrated Croatian film director who made several award-winning films throughout his career. He was known for his ability to create compelling stories that explored the complexities of life. His films continue to be remembered and appreciated to this day.
