Emir Kusturica

Date of Birth: November 24, 1954

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Biography

Emir Kusturica is a celebrated Serbian filmmaker, actor, and musician, known for his distinctive and often surreal cinematic style. Born in Sarajevo, then part of Yugoslavia, Kusturica has carved out a unique niche in international cinema through his vivid storytelling and rich, culturally infused narratives. He graduated from the prestigious Film Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU), which has been a breeding ground for some of Eastern Europe’s finest directors. Kusturica’s career took off with his debut feature film, “Do You Remember Dolly Bell?” (1981), which won the Silver Lion for Best First Work at the Venice Film Festival. He continued to gain critical acclaim with “When Father Was Away on Business” (1985), which received the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. His other notable works include “Time of the Gypsies” (1988), “Underground” (1995), which also won the Palme d’Or, and “Black Cat, White Cat” (1998), which won the Silver Lion for Best Direction at Venice. Kusturica is also a musician, playing with his band, The No Smoking Orchestra, which often features in his films’ soundtracks. In addition to his work in film and music, Kusturica has been involved in various cultural and social projects, including the construction of Drvengrad (Timber Town), a traditional village in Serbia that he built for his film “Life Is a Miracle” (2004). This village has since become a cultural hub, hosting the annual Küstendorf Film and Music Festival.

5 Interesting Facts about Emir Kusturica

1. Emir Kusturica is one of only a handful of directors to have won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival twice.

2. He is a member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

3. Kusturica built an entire village, Drvengrad (also known as Küstendorf), for the setting of his film “Life Is a Miracle.”

4. Besides filmmaking, he is also an accomplished musician, playing with The No Smoking Orchestra.

5. Kusturica has directed a wide array of genres, from comedy to drama to surreal fantasy, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Emir Kusturica

1. “I will always be grateful to the people who made me a filmmaker.”

2. “I have always believed that cinema is a mirror of society, and it should reflect the truth, no matter how painful.”

3. “Art is a way of finding beauty in the chaos of life.”

4. “Music and film are the two sides of the same coin for me.”

5. “I build worlds in my films that are exaggerated versions of reality but grounded in emotional truths.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth Emir Kusturica has achieved is estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Emir Kusturica has two children: a son, Stribor Kusturica, who is a musician and a member of The No Smoking Orchestra, and a daughter, Dunja Kusturica.