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BiH Atlas
2006 · Grbavica

Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams

In post-war Sarajevo, single mother Esma struggles to afford a school excursion for her teenage daughter Sara. Sara believes her father was a fallen war hero, but Esma harbors a painful secret.

Official Oscar submissionDrama
Director
Jasmila Žbanić
Writers
Jasmila Žbanić
Cast
Mirjana Karanović, Luna Zimić Mijović, Leon Lučev, Kenan Ćerimagić, Dejan Aćimović
Production
Bosnia and Herzegovina · Austria · Germany · Croatia · 90 min

Awards and recognition

  • ★Berlin International Film Festival Golden Bear Winner (2006)
  • ★Peace Film Award Winner
  • ★Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, Berlinale 2006

Context

A landmark feminist work that raised international awareness about the plight of war rape victims in Bosnia, prompting legislative changes in Bosnia to recognize them as victims of war.

Filming locations

  • Grbavica District, Sarajevo
    Sarajevo Canton

    Filmed in Grbavica, exploring post-war reconstruction and urban community resilience.

Sources and verification

Awards verified 2026-09-11 against festival and academy records; unverifiable claims were removed rather than kept.