‘DJ Ahmet’ Debuts Trailer, Director Speaks Returning to Sundance and Finding His Leads Among Thousands of Children From Macedonian Villages (EXCLUSIVE)

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15-year-old Ahmet, residing in a secluded Yuruk village in North Macedonia, yearns for two things that seem unattainable: the ability to express his love for music by sharing it with others and being close to the girl living nearby, who is already pledged to another. Director Georgi M. Unkovski, having experienced the pain of chasing an elusive dream himself, navigated through numerous financial and production hurdles spanning over five years to bring his first feature film, “DJ Ahmet,” to life, which made its premiere in Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition.

In an exclusive interview with EbMaster before the upcoming festival, the Macedonian filmmaker, whose work has been showcased in more than 200 international festivals including HBO and MTV, shares that the concept for his latest feature originated around the time he presented his short film “Sticker” at Sundance in 2020. He reveals that the project secured its initial funding towards the end of that year, but it wasn’t until three months ago that they fully funded the film, making the journey to completion a lengthy one.

He goes on to explain the origins of “DJ Ahmet”. For him, certain aspects have always seemed significant to delve into. He identifies with a sense of not fitting in or being an outsider, which he believes is reflected in all his characters in some way. Additionally, he saw it as a unique chance to create a movie about this particular region.

In reference to this locale, Unkovski is referring to the compact Yuruk settlement where he filmed, a group known for being semi-nomadic herders who roam across a vast expanse of eastern North Macedonia and neighboring nations. The Yuruk are renowned for their intricate wool weaving abilities, which are frequently showcased in their vibrantly colored attire.

The location where we filmed is remarkably near my residence, just a few miles away from home, yet I had never set foot there before,” says the director of the area. “For a year and a half, we searched through numerous communities, exploring more than 50 of them, before finally choosing this one that represents an exceptionally authentic version of traditional life. The village portrayed in the film is much like what you would encounter if you were to visit it today. It provided a captivating backdrop for our narrative.

The village plays a significant role in the narrative, and Unkovski’s crew collaborated with residents for three months prior to filming to ensure they felt at home within the community. Notably, the movie’s main actor, Arif Jakup, hails from this very village. The director stresses the importance of authenticity in the film, “We wanted the production to feel genuine.” Many of the elderly women portrayed in the film are locals. We utilized a large number of extras from the village and aimed to seamlessly blend the location into our production.

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The village is crucial to the storyline, and Unkovski’s team spent three months collaborating with residents before shooting to create a more organic fit within the community. The film’s principal actor, Arif Jakup, is originally from this village. The director underscores the film’s authenticity, “We wanted the movie to resonate as true-to-life.” Most of the older female characters in the film are local residents. We used a significant number of extras from the village and aimed to integrate the setting into our production.

One of Unkovski’s biggest sources of satisfaction with the film lies in its exceptional casting, notably Jakup and debutant Agush Agushev, portraying Ahmet’s mute younger brother who defies their domineering father. “I am absolutely thrilled with the casting. We had an outstanding casting director, Kirijana Nikoloska, and she and I conducted a thorough casting process. We screened over 3,000 children of this ethnic minority in Macedonia and narrowed it down to 60 potential candidates.

Discovering Agush was akin to unearthing a precious diamond,” he elaborates. “He’s truly exceptional and undeniably one of the standout aspects of the movie, alongside Arif who, despite just having completed elementary school and hailing from a family with a tobacco-harvesting history similar to Ahmet’s, was equally fascinating. The entire production was captivating, an unforgettable experience. Witnessing these actors in front of the camera for the first time was nothing short of breathtaking.

Due to numerous delays and uncertainties surrounding the production, Unkovski found himself with limited preparation time for his young cast. He often remarks that the film’s existence was precarious, on the brink of cancellation. With a tight schedule of just five weeks to shoot, there was little room for error.

Throughout the casting process, I put in considerable effort to identify the ideal actors for their respective roles. Preparation then shifted towards fostering a stronger bond and ensuring a comfortable working environment among us. This way, we could collectively create an atmosphere conducive to delivering outstanding performances.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been noticing a unique camaraderie among filmmakers here in Macedonia lately, especially since “Honeyland” made history five years ago by being nominated in both documentary and international feature categories at the Oscars. It feels like we’re experiencing a first for our country – a strong sense of unity and collaboration among directors.

He emphasizes that we cheer for one another’s accomplishments and provide assistance during tough times. He finds it wonderful to be part of such a community. In contrast to our childhood experiences, directors were often seen as an elite group, fostering a feeling of competition. Although there remains a certain level of competition, the camaraderie, sharing film discussions, makes one feel like they belong with like-minded individuals.”

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“He notes that we support each other in success and difficult times, making our community special. Unlike growing up where directors seemed exclusive and competitive, there’s a sense of camaraderie now, even though there’s still some competition.

Upon revisiting Sundance five years since “Sticker,” Unkovski admits he feels a tad apprehensive because it’s the initial time he’ll present the movie to viewers, yet also his cast and team. “I have great affection for Sundance audiences. They are usually quite supportive, and this screening will be particularly thrilling as I get to watch the film with the individuals who brought it to life.

Check the exclusive trailer courtesy of EbMaster below:

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2025-01-23 21:46