United States | Bosnia and Herzegovina
A native of Sarajevo, a lover of the arts since childhood, as a little girl in a midst of war, joined the Youth Theatrical Troupe of the National Theatre in Sarajevo. The experience ended up serving as “the great means of making life possible, the great seduction to life, the great stimulant of life. Art as the only superior counterforce to all will to denial of life.”, which sealed her destiny as an artist. A few months before the end of the war, together with her family, she managed to escape to the United States where she continued her studies in Theatre Arts and Film, ranging from acting and writing to directing and producing, and music. Today she continues her work as a multidisciplinary artist.
Since her early childhood, music, storytelling and overall performing have been her passions. This innate desire to create, naturally led her to pursue an early career in the performing arts, starting with her involvement in a Sarajevan National Theatre Youth Troupe, which at that time, during the siege of Sarajevo, also served as a form of escapism, and the ultimate shelter from the outside world, which was plagued by destruction, hunger, blood and death. But once she steps inside that theatre, the outside world would cease to exist.
Her main influences are the poets among the filmmakers: Agnes Varda, Maya Deren, Leos Carax, Wong Kar Wai, Godard, Jarmusch, Wenders, Kieslowski, Jean-Jacques Beineix, Kaurismaki, Truffaut, Marker, Tarkovsky, Fellini, Melville, Bresson, Jodorowsky, Bunuel, Wes Anderson, Sophia Coppola, Chantal Akerman, etc.
Although, her inspiration goes beyond just the realm of great many filmmakers. She is equally as inspired by music, fashion, paintings, poetry, random, brief encounters with people…
At the core of her storytelling lies a deeply personal exploration, where she mines the nuances of her own life experiences. It is a form of a diary, therapy and ultimately a journey of self-discovery; trying to use the medium as a reflective mirror to explore and examine her own identity. She keeps a diary of dreams and ideas, including drawings and poetry to shape the world she’s creating.
“Whenever I’m Alone With You” marked the beginning of my serious personal journey as an indie filmmaker, driven by an uncompromising vision of the French New Wave influence in particular, and a desire to bring intimate, “outside the box’ stories to life onto the silver screen in a unique/authentic fashion. I conceived three scripts/ideas together with my partner at the time; a dramatic piece: We Used To Be Young Together, Revenge Of The Cinephile Vampires, and a semi-documentary ‘anti-romantic’ romantic comedy Whenever I’m Alone With You, which proved to be a very successful festival art house film.
“Whenever I’m Alone With You” is a unique “anti-romantic” romantic comedy that delves into the complexities of love and human connection. In an era dominated by cookie-cutter romantic comedies, it stands out for its bold and unapologetic portrayal of love and rebellion, through a blend of humor, introspection, and poignant storytelling.
The film has garnered critical acclaim and accolades at film festivals worldwide, winning 28 awards to date. It has been recognized for exceptional performances, groundbreaking direction, innovative editing, immersive sound design, music by the 80’s Punk/New Wave ex -YU scene, and the original music by her own band La Petite Mort. It really has surpassed my expectations in its achievements thus far. The next step is LA and NYC premieres, in hope to secure distribution and reach a broader audience, and continue developing my work as a film auteur.
“It’s been a heaven & a hell of a journey, and I am grateful to all who have been a part if it, in any capacity, thankful to every single festival for the recognition and for giving the film the opportunity to reach a new audience, and everyone who came to the screenings. It wasn’t easy to bleed in front of you, but it was a rare privilege I don’t take lightly.
“Whenever I’m Alone With You” might have been a film that touched you and spoke to you on some profound level, maybe it took you on a journey of a lifetime and you loved it, or maybe it was just another film that you will soon forget, or it might have left you indifferent, or maybe you even detested it… regardless, it was my love story and one of the best and most memorable periods of my life, and I am grateful I had a chance to immortalize it and share it with the you. Thank you. In loving memory of Anna Karina & Jean-Luc Godard.”
– Vesper Egon
