“I Know Your Soul”, Interview with showrunner Jasmila Žbanić

Oscar and Bafta-nominated Bosnian director Jasmila Žbanić of 2020’s “Quo Vadis, Aida?” first had the idea for “I Know Your Soul” in the wake of a real-life suicide case in Sarajevo. The resulting conversation with her then 14-year-old daughter made her aware of the gaping chasm between them that she hadn’t realised was there.

Her new series, originally conceived as a feature film and for which Jasmila Žbanić moves into the role of showrunner, ruminates on that theme of how well we know our children, centring on Nevena Murtezic, a prosecutor and single mother who works on a case of suicide that soon engulfs her professional and private life, particularly her relationship with her son, who is implicated in rumours of abuse at the deceased’s school.

Jasmila Žbanić spoke about why she was compelled to explore this topic through the six-part show and why she wanted to reunite with actress Jasna Đuričić, who plays a formidable Nevena opposite newer face Lazar Dragojević as her son Dino.

She also shared how crucial it was for her protagonist to break with stereotypes of who might lead a series of this nature, particularly in her home country of Bosnia.

She further expressed hope that, beyond the rollercoaster of emotions and commentary on patriarchal power, class, media and the justice system it provides, at its heart, the story is about family, a mother-son relationship and the importance of communication in a world where the lives of our young are increasingly permeated with social media.

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