Serbia has officially put forward David Jovanović's film "Słońce nigdy nie zajdzie" (original title: "Sunce nikad više") as its candidate for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The decision was made by a special committee that recognized the film's universal message addressing human suffering and environmental destruction caused by greed and the power of international mining corporations. The committee highlighted the coherent, tragic narrative presented with stylized, poetic realism.
"Słońce nigdy nie zajdzie" is Jovanović's directorial debut, a collaboration between the Faculty of Dramatic Arts and the production company Pointless Films, known for the award-winning Serbian film "Tędy przejdzie droga" from 2023. Jovanović, who hails from a mining village, stated that the film was inspired by his childhood experiences witnessing the detrimental effects of the mining industry on the environment and local communities. He recalled how a nearby mine encroached upon his grandparents' home, polluting the land, air, and water, leading to illnesses and forcing them to leave a place they loved. The director described life in such areas as surreal, akin to living on an abandoned planet where daily explosions and destruction blur the lines between reality and fantasy.
The film stars Dušan Jovičić, Rastko Račić, and Svetozar Cvetković, with Cvetković receiving an award for his role at the Mediterranean and European Film Festival in Trebinje. Serbia has been submitting films for the Oscar since 1991, but none have secured a nomination to date. The closest it came was in 2007 when "Pułapka" made it to the top ten finalists.
International mining corporations are frequently implicated in environmental degradation, including deforestation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss, as confirmed by reports from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). According to UNEP, the mining industry is responsible for nearly 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 80% of biodiversity loss. Many regions, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, experience social conflicts linked to mining activities, leading to protests and legal disputes. "Słońce nigdy nie zajdzie" addresses this broader context of global challenges associated with the mining industry's impact on human lives and nature.