Sevap/Mitzvah

Synopsis

Twenty-two-year-old Zejneba Hardaga was never one to cower in the face of injustice, even within her strict Muslim community. So, when she realizes Sarajevo’s Jews are being rounded up by Nazis in 1941 Bosnia, putting her best friend Rifka and Rifka’s family in danger, she risks everything to save them. Fifty years later, during the Bosnian War, it’s the Muslims who are being hunted down, and Rifka, now in her 70s and living in Israel, has to find a way to rescue Zejneba and her family in turn. Inspired by a true story.

About the Director

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Sabina Vajrača

Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sabina Vajrača immigrated to the U.S. as a war refugee and started her directing career in NYC theatre.

She’s best known for her critically acclaimed feature documentary Back to Bosnia (AFI Fest / Director’s Choice, Crossroads / BBC’s “Top 100 of the Greatest Films Directed by Women”), and short drama Sevap/Mitzvah, which was the 2024 Academy® Awards contender and won the prestigious Humanitas Prize and Claims Conference Grant.

Her other accolades include the Directors Guild of America’s SFA Grand Prize, Alfred P. Sloan Grant, multiple film festival awards, and nominations for the Student Oscar and Student BAFTA.

Sabina is a member of Film Fatales and BAFTA, and an alumna of the Ryan Murphy’s Half Directing Mentorship, Stowe Story Labs, and Almanack Screenwriters.

She holds an M.F.A. in Film and TV Production from USC School of Cinematic Arts and is repped by Vision Entertainment and GGSSC.

Artistic Statement

Bosnia is a land where—locals will note—every 50 years there’s another war. Blame it on our geography as the bridge between the East and West. Or the vast land resources, triggering our neighbors’ greed throughout centuries. Or simply our bad luck. Regardless, even with all that trauma, Bosnians amazingly still live by the credos of sevap—help one another for the sake of goodness alone, and komšiluk—treat your neighbors like family, no matter what.

I grew up with those values too, so when I came across this incredible story that illustratedthem perfectly, I knew it was mine to tell.

The short was always meant to be a proof-of-concept for this larger, complete story, and while it did wonderfully, my aim is to tap an even wider audience with the feature, so the whole world can be inspired by Zejneba and Rifka, and sevap (mitzvah) they embody.