“I Know Your Soul”, Interview with showrunner Jasmila Žbanić

September 9, 2023

Jasmila Žbanić, director, "I Know Your Soul", on the real-life suicide case behind the story and subverting stereotypes with her female lead.

"I Know Your Soul", Interview with showrunner Jasmila Žbanić Sarah Bradbury

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Oscar and Bafta-nominated Bosnian director Jasmila Žbanić of 2020’s “Quo Vadis, Aida?” first had the idea for “I Know Your Soul” in the wake of a real-life suicide case in Sarajevo. The resulting conversation with her then 14-year-old daughter made her aware of the gaping chasm between them that she hadn’t realised was there.

Her new series, originally conceived as a feature film and for which Jasmila Žbanić moves into the role of showrunner, ruminates on that theme of how well we know our children, centring on Nevena Murtezic, a prosecutor and single mother who works on a case of suicide that soon engulfs her professional and private life, particularly her relationship with her son, who is implicated in rumours of abuse at the deceased’s school.

Jasmila Žbanić spoke about why she was compelled to explore this topic through the six-part show and why she wanted to reunite with actress Jasna Đuričić, who plays a formidable Nevena opposite newer face Lazar Dragojević as her son Dino.

She also shared how crucial it was for her protagonist to break with stereotypes of who might lead a series of this nature, particularly in her home country of Bosnia.

She further expressed hope that, beyond the rollercoaster of emotions and commentary on patriarchal power, class, media and the justice system it provides, at its heart, the story is about family, a mother-son relationship and the importance of communication in a world where the lives of our young are increasingly permeated with social media.

Plot

Prosecutor Nevena Murtazić, a single mother in the process of divorce, investigates the case of the suicide of a teenage boy from the same school as her son Dino. The case soon attracts negative publicity when the bereaved father complains about her slow progress. Nevena earns little sympathy from her supervisors or the public for her understaffed department. The case takes on personal urgency when Nevena suspects the school may be hiding abuse that affects other students. Consumed by concern for Dino, who’s also started to skip classes, Nevena is blindsided when the victim’s father accuses Dino of being one of the abusers. Driven by endless motherly love and personal responsibility, Nevena desperately tries to pull together facts under relentless pressure from all sides, trying to fight for the truth in a society where justice is defined by an economical and male-oriented political elite, only supported by a long-term colleague and admirer and a newbie who keeps reporting to her superior behind her back. But the fact finding that makes Nevena so good at her job ends up pitting her against her son she fears she can no longer trust.

Written by: Sarah Bradbury

Aida? Jasna Đuričić Lazar Dragojević Quo Vadis showrunner

Guest

Jasmila Zbanic Sarah Bradbury

Film

I Know Your Soul

Festival

Mostra del Cinema di Venezia

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