In addition to a regular rich programme of contemporary art films, as well as films for young audiences, the cinema is also host to many festivals, film weeks, premieres, special programs and screenings. Meeting Point is the most important art house cinema in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its main aim is to promote film culture with a diverse selection of quality films and a programme for young audiences.
FNE: What is the biggest challenge of running a cinema such as yours?
Amer Becirbegovic: Bringing people out of their homes and getting them into the cinema day in and day out and carrying on doing it even when they don’t come.
FNE: What kinds of films do you prefer to screen and why?
A.B.: We like to screen quality cinema,and we are able to find quality in many very different films.
FNE: The cinema is home to many festivals, events and film weeks. Why are these important and what do they achieve?
A.B.: Indeed, some great programmes have been going on over the years, but first and foremost our cinema is the home of the Sarajevo Film Festival and it is only logical to collaborate and support other festivals and special programs. Last November was particularly busy with special events. There was the Jewish Film Festival (http://sarajevo.festivaloftolerance.com), the Human Rights Film Festival Pravo Ljudski, the Spanish Film Week, and we were also among 56 venues across Europe that have simultaneously screened the opening film of CPH:Dox festival 1989 and participated in a live debate across the continent after it. Some good stuff, really.
FNE: What is role of Europa Cinemas for cinemas such as your cinema and why is it important?
A.B.: Europa Cinemas has been supporting our work since the very beginning and we are very grateful for that, especially for that early post-war period. In the mid and late 90's we really needed to feel as a part of something larger and Europa Cinemas helped us with that tremendously.
FNE: How does a cinema like your serve the local community?
A.B.: We are in a very central location in Sarajevo, surrounded by different university departments, embassies, galleries, restaurants and cafes, all of which create a unique and quite cosmopolitan high-street culture of which our cinema is a part. We are programming a lot of European and local language films (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian), significantly more than any other cinema in the country, which is tremendously important for the cultural diversity in a globalised world. We always offer English subtitles for all non-English speaking films, so the international community living in Sarajevo can also have access to quality content in theatres.
FNE: Can you say something about your work with young audiences?
A.B.: There is a lot more to be done, that is certain. However, we do work closely with schools and have a number of films on offer for high schools, elementary schools and pre-schools every month. We now want to improve access to cultural events for children with disabilities and are working hard to make a good programme for that.
FNE: What about the digitalisation of cinemas? How will it affect your work and your cinema?
A.B.: We have been digitialised already for some time now and we are happy with the extra flexibility it brought. We would like to see more classic titles in DCP format becoming available in the near future.
Contact
Obala Meeting Point
Hamdije Kresevljakovica 13
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Phone: +387 33 668 186
Fax: +387 33 668 187
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.kinomeetingpoint.ba
