In The Forbidden Aunt, Serbian star actress-turned-filmmaker Bojana Novaković turns the spotlight on her own family history, focussing specifically on her vibrant and intriguing, but estranged, Aunt Gordana.
But what was originally intended as a feel-good story about a fun and crazy woman leads to “hidden histories of sexual violence, substance abuse, generational trauma and the silencing of women,” the synopsis reads.
Producer Sonja Bozic adds to Business Doc Europe of Novaković’s highly personal delve into her past: “The Forbidden Aunt is about one woman and her family, as well as all our mothers and sisters.”
Gordana was always a survivor, and a force of nature. Sexually abused before she was in her teens, she was already a full-time hairdresser at the age of 14. Five years later she was a wife and mother; by twenty-four, she was a struggling alcoholic; and by thirty, she was a divorcee and widow. At the same time, she had a sound business head, running the most successful salon in Uzice, and was the heart of soul of every social gathering. Still, she sought much comfort in dating, drinking, and binge-watching Turkish soap operas. Over time, she turned her life around, getting sober and finding redemption in caring for the elderly.
The project notes further read how the film “transforms from a hopeful portrait to a raw journey through generational pain, addiction, and healing. The Forbidden Aunt is an emotional rollercoaster that unearths deep family secrets, ultimately reshaping the way these women understand each other—and themselves.”
Producer Bozic explains the unique appeal of The Forbidden Aunt to viewers and financiers alike. “It offers local audiences a mirror rarely held up in mainstream media and connects with international viewers through themes of survival, family, and resilience,” she says. “The film addresses a politically charged topic from a personal perspective, making systemic issues clear through the lens of lived experience.”
“Humour, soap opera re-enactments [in which the actress/director takes on the role of her aunt], and deeply human moments make the film engaging and accessible,” Bozic adds. “Investors are drawn by the mix of compelling storytelling and Bojana Novaković’s creative approach to telling a deeply political story through a personal, character-driven narrative that is both entertaining and impactful. The fact that 70% of the [€202,000] budget is already secured shows confidence in its creative power and market potential.”
Bozic expresses her total confidence in director Novaković delivering a compelling piece of work. “Bojana combines authenticity, artistic skill, and an international profile. As an award-winning actress with credits on HBO, Hulu, Showtime, and major studio films with Warner Brothers and Universal, she understands both performance and audience engagement,” she says.
“Her one-woman shooting style brings raw intimacy and trust to the film, enabling her to capture moments that might otherwise be out of reach. She also mixes personal vulnerability with an uncompromising eye for truth, making the story both emotionally compelling and socially resonant. In this film, we see her in a new way that we haven’t seen before.”
The Forbidden Aunt also promises to be aesthetically stimulating, offering up a smorgasbord of visual styles (and treats), the producer adds. “The film combines vérité, VHS archives (shot by Bojana herself), present-day interviews, and most notably, stylized re-enactments in the style of Turkish soap operas inspired by Gordana’s own passion for the medium,” she says.
“The vérité footage, shot entirely by Bojana, is raw, handheld, and emotionally direct, immersing the viewer in the characters’ lived reality. The re-enactments are vibrant, exaggerated, and filled with dark humour—a visual metaphor for how Gordana reinterprets her own past. This blending of styles creates a rhythm between painful truths and playful absurdity, helping audiences process heavy subject matter without becoming overwhelmed. Archival VHS footage from Bojana’s teenage years adds an authentic, aged texture that enhances the sense of history.”
The 82-minute Serbian/English-language film is currently at fine cut stage, with Bozic targeting “top-tier international documentary festivals that embrace bold, hybrid storytelling.”
“Given the mix of personal narrative, social relevance, and stylistic innovation, the film has potential for both documentary-focused festivals and broader festivals open to cross-genre work,” she says. “The aim is to secure a premiere that will attract distributors, broadcasters, and streaming platforms, followed by targeted theatrical releases in key markets and community screenings that foster discussion.”
Director Novaković distils the essence of her documentary: “I went to rural Serbia expecting that a woman, who had endured abuse within a communist Yugoslavian patriarchy, would somehow make my life better—without knowing the extent of her trauma. Along the way, I encountered three generations of women whose lives had been shattered by sexual violence, yet they managed to survive against all odds. This journey led me to see my aunt for who she truly was, face the reality of my own family, and ultimately, confront myself.”
