Esma’s Secret
Grbavica
Jasmila Zbanic
Bosnia-Herzegovina | 2005 | Colour | 35mm | Subtitled

Single mother Esma lives with her twelve-year-old daughter in Sarajevo’s Grbavica neighbourhood, where life is still being reconstructed sfter the Yugoslav war. Working as a cocktail waitress in a nightclub, Esma attends group therapy sessions at the local Women’s Centre and finds a kindred spirit in Pelda, a compassionate male co-worker.

Her daughter Sara develops a bond with a classmate but the fate of her father becomes an issue when she requires the certificate proving he died a holy war martyr, so that she can receive a discount for an upcoming school trip. Esma claims acquiring the certificate is difficult since his body has yet to be found. Meanwhile, she searches desperately to borrow money to pay for Sara’s trip.

Confused Sara becomes violently upset when some classmates tease her for not being on the list of martyrs’ children. Realising her mother has paid full price for the school trip, Sara aggressively demands the truth. Esma breaks down and finally discloses the secret she has always harboured. As painful as their confrontation is, it is Esma’s first real step toward overcoming her deep trauma. Despite Sara’s hurt, there is still an opening for a renewed relationship between mother and daughter.

Golden Bear Award – Berlin International Film Festival, 2006