Emir Kusturica

The Profile

Emir Kusturica is a Serbian film director, screenwriter, and musician known for blending surreal humor, war-time allegory, and Balkan music. He won the Palme d'Or at Cannes for When Father Was Away on Business and Underground.

Two-time Palme d'Or winner (1985, 1995). Also active as a musician with The No Smoking Orchestra. His films mix black humor, kinetic staging, and Balkan brass with political and social themes.

Four reviews celebrate Kusturica’s cinema: surreal, tender, and explosive with Balkan brass. Underground is hailed as a masterpiece and Cannes winner. Maradona by Kusturica captures Diego’s myth with affection and politics. Life Is a Miracle wins hearts as an anarchic, colorful wartime fable.