The cross-generational effect of war and the true-life exploits of one supressed woman are explored in Sabina Vajraca’s powerful period drama SEVAP/MITZVAH.
At the height of World War II, in Nazi-occupied Bosnia, Zejneba Hardaga takes a risk to hide her best friend Rifka from oppression and possible death – at a time when Hitler’s own determination to simplify existence of those who he deems suitable at a bitter cost was yielding shocking results and demographics. One such officer has a thing for Zejneba, but what is her true faith…..?
Vajraca creates a terrific short-form drama that will provide context to people who may have only been made aware of the plight through Steven Spielberg‘s SCHINDLER’S LIST. A smaller story, but one that will resonate eternally.
About the film:
Director and writer Sabina Vajraca’s SEVAP/MITZVAH is inspired by a true story. During WWII in Bosnia Zejneba Hardaga risked her life to save Jews from being rounded up by Nazis, including her friend Rifka and their family. 50 years later the tables turned, and it was now Rifka’s turn to save Zejneba from being hunted. This phenomenal short film won the 2023 Humanitas Prize, among other awards. SEVAP/MITZVAH has qualified to be considered for a 2024 Academy® Award.
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2023 Winners & Nominees — Humanitas
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Director and writer Sabina Vajraca was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and immigrated to the US in 1994 as a war refugee.
Since then, she has accomplished a lot as a director/producer. Her critically acclaimed feature documentary BACK TO BOSNIA premiered at AFI Fest and screened at over 30 festivals worldwide winning Director’s Choice at the Crossroads Film Festival, and is featured in the top 100 of the greatest films directed by women by the BBC.
It’s currently streaming on multiple platforms, including Amazon. Most recently she co-directed a Warner Bros./USC feature period drama VOODOO MACBETH, and the DGA Award-winning short VARIABLES, which was nominated for the BAFTA Student Award and was the Student Academy® Awards semifinalist.
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Back to Bosnia
Filmmaker Sabina Vajraca documents her Bosnian Muslim family’s return to their home of Banja Luka, Bosnia, to re…
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Back to Bosnia – Apple TV
Filmmaker Sabina Vajraca documents her Bosnian Muslim family’s return to their home of Banja Luka, Bosnia, to re…
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Honors | Voodoo Macbeth Film
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Producer Kerim Masovic started his filmmaking journey over a decade ago. He founded Kontraplan in 2019, with his two frequent collaborators, Neven Samardzic and Sasa Pesevski. Some of the many projects Kerim has worked on include DEATH IN SARAJEVO, FULL MOON, SO SHE DOESN’T LIVE, MAY LABOR DAY, and MAJNUNI. Most recently producing SEVAP/MITZVAH.
SEVAP/MITZVAH has qualified to be considered for a 2024 Academy® Award.
Check out Film And TV Now’s interview with the director here:
Interview Special: Sabina Vajraca: SEVAP/MITZVAH
Upcoming Festivals
Aladerri FF (Chicago, IL) – September 22nd-24th
Joyce Forum Jewish Film Fest (San Diego, CA) – October 12th-14th
Sedicicordo (Forli, Italy) – October 16th-24th
Ojai Film Festival (Ojai, CA) – November 2nd-19th
Lake County Film Festival (Grayslake, IL) – November 2nd-13th
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