Jasmila Zbanic went down in history as the first BiH director who received two nominations for the BAFTA Award, her first feature film "Grbavica" was awarded the prestigious Golden Bear in 2006 and she directed an episode of the popular HBO series "The Last of Us." In an interview with N1, Zbanic talks about her experiences and upcoming Bosnian talents.

Directing the sixth episode of “The Last of Us” Zbanic said it was a new experience for her from which she learned a lot.

“On the professional side, it was a big step forward in work, gaining knowledge and experience. The Hollywood system is different and I quickly had to learn what the differences were and how to overcome them. It was especially interesting for me because of the projects I’m working on together with Damir Ibrahimovic, where I’m the producer, screenwriter, and director. I control all the segments of film production. On ‘The last of US’ I was ‘only’ the director. When a production problem arose, I would immediately start solving it, and then I would realize – hey, I don't have to do that. There are ten people doing it for me. I have to relax and come to the set ready. It was a great relief because you are focused only on directing. Regardless of the fact that the conditions were difficult, I enjoyed working with the best. It’s also a great pleasure that thirty million people have already watched the series.”

She was asked to comment on one of her statements in which she said Jackson reminded her of Sarajevo and that the experience of surviving the siege of Sarajevo during the war influenced her way of directing the episode.

“I lived in the besieged Sarajevo, which was under siege by the Republika Srpska Army. They cut off our food, water, electricity, gas and bombed and killed citizens every day. Nevertheless, Sarajevo managed to remain a city at the highest level of civilization and culture. The show's town is also under siege by dangerous zombies – and it works, too. It was important for me to talk about how even in the worst of times, the human community can survive if it is united,” she said.

Zbanic was asked if Bosnia currently has anyone among the young directors who could achieve a significant career.

“I think this region is full of talent. I'm waiting for them to enter the scene as we entered, unapologetically, with a film or a work that was made in such a way that they don't bend to what others think about it,” Zbani concluded.