Noomi Rapace Talks About The Power of Film As Art And Her Upcoming Film ‘Mother’

By Alissa Simon

visited the Variety Lounge presented by the Sarajevo Film Festival and BH Telecom to share her history with the Balkan region.

Although it is her first time in Sarajevo, Rapace grew up with films from the Balkan region and praises their bravery and passion. She noted that the Sarajevo Film Festival, “might be one of the most important film festivals because the power of films and what art can do to people and how you can discover stories and characters and look into situations and hearts that you would never know of.”

She reminisced about her role in Macedonian-Australian helmer Goran Stolevski’s “You Are Never Alone,” describing how he made her feel safe despite the fact that she had scenes where she was completely nude. She noted that Goran “is a fascinating and very gentle director but with a very strong vision.”

Rapace is drawn to filmmakers and stories, no matter where they take place. She says she will bring her own truth to it, no matter where they are set. She loves directors who are ready to explore and go all the way in a genre.

She is deep in preparation with another Macedonian director, Teona Mitevska. Their film, “Mother,” about a week in the life of 38-year-old Mother Teresa, will shoot in a month.

Rapace is producing now and loves discovering different sides of filmmaking, and believes that she is coming closer to wanting to direct.