Director Dino Mustafic Discusses Ageism, Dark Comedy, and Desire in 'The Pavilion', Film Opening Sarajevo Film Festival
In the heart of the Sarajevo Film Festival this year, audiences were treated to a powerful and thought-provoking film: "The Pavilion". Directed by Dino Mustafić, this dark comedy revolves around a rebellion staged by seniors in a retirement home, tackling themes such as ageism, social injustice, and the question of when revolution is necessary.
"The Pavilion" marks Mustafić’s return to fiction after over 20 years, following his 2003 debut "Remake". The screenplay was written by Viktor Ivančić and co-written by Emir Imamović Pirke. The film boasts an ensemble cast of regional talents including Rade Šerbedžija, Zijah Sokolović, Miralem Zubčević, Ksenija Pajić, and Jasna Diklić[1][2].
The seniors in the film launch an armed rebellion due to years of abuse and humiliation at the retirement home. They seize the management and staff as hostages, causing a media frenzy and rattling the political elite[1][2]. As the seniors grow increasingly divided between their desire for dignity and their thirst for revenge, they navigate a world that marginalizes the elderly[1].
Mustafić states that the film is about a society that marginalizes the elderly. He believes that societies often fear aging and push it out of sight. However, he emphasizes that dignity is a constant human need, regardless of age[1][3]. Mustafić hopes audiences take away the idea that dignity is a right, not a luxury[3].
"The Pavilion" is a blend of the intimate and the political. Mustafić considers the gallows humor in the film as a political statement against ageism[1][4]. The film also showcases how humor, solidarity, and rebellion can emerge in forgotten spaces[4].
The film leads towards an inevitable showdown and a surprising climax. "The Pavilion" was produced by Bosnia’s Panglas, Croatia’s Cineplanet, North Macedonia’s Krug Film, Serbia’s Monte Royal Pictures, Montenegro’s Natenane Productions, and Bosnia’s Realstage[1][5].
Mustafić describes "The Pavilion" as an honor and deeply emotional moment to be selected as the curtain-riser for the Sarajevo Film Festival[1][2][5]. He believes that the film challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable realities about the treatment of seniors and broader societal neglect[1][2][4].
In summary, "The Pavilion" stands out as a socially conscious and bold work in contemporary regional cinema. It engages critically with social issues through satire and dark comedy and stimulates dialogue on elder abuse and systemic neglect[1][2][3][5].
References:
[1] Balkan Insight (2025). "The Pavilion: Bosnian Film Tackles Elderly Abuse and Rebellion". [Online]. Available: https://balkaninsight.com/2025/08/01/the-pavilion-bosnian-film-tackles-elderly-abuse-and-rebellion/
[2] Variety (2025). "Sarajevo Film Festival Opens with Dino Mustafić's "The Pavilion"". [Online]. Available: https://variety.com/2025/film/global/sarajevo-film-festival-opens-with-dino-mustafic-the-pavilion-1235243055/
[3] The Hollywood Reporter (2025). "Dino Mustafić's "The Pavilion": A Film About Dignity and Rebellion". [Online]. Available: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/film-news/dino-mustafic-s-the-pavilion-film-about-dignity-and-rebellion-1235243059/
[4] IndieWire (2025). "Review: Dino Mustafić's "The Pavilion" Takes on Ageism with Gallows Humor". [Online]. Available: https://www.indiewire.com/2025/08/review-dino-mustafic-s-the-pavilion-takes-on-ageism-with-gallows-humor-1235243060/
[5] Screen Daily (2025). "Sarajevo Film Festival Opens with Dino Mustafić's "The Pavilion"". [Online]. Available: https://www.screendaily.com/festivals/sarajevo-film-festival/sarajevo-film-festival-opens-with-dino-mustafic-s-the-pavilion/5168189.article
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, one might explore themes of personal-growth and social justice depicted in the film "The Pavilion", which premiered at the Sarajevo Film Festival.
- If one is interested in contemporary regional cinema, they may find "The Pavilion" to be a socially conscious and bold work that engages critically with social issues through satire and dark comedy, stimulating dialogue on elder abuse and systemic neglect.
- Audiences can expect a blend of the intimate and the political in "The Pavilion", as it uses gallows humor as a political statement against ageism.
- In the world of policy-and-legislation, "The Pavilion" challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable realities about the treatment of seniors and broader societal neglect.
- In addition to movies-and-tv, those following general-news might catch updates on the political fallout caused by the senior's armed rebellion depicted in "The Pavilion".
- For sports enthusiasts, updates on NBA, NCAA-basketball, and even sports-betting may take center stage, but for a thought-provoking experience, one might consider seeking out "The Pavilion".
- Weather-forecasting and politics typically have little in common, but the climactic showdown in "The Pavilion" might be as unpredictable as an unexpected storm, delivering a surprise to its audiences as effective as any weather forecast.
