Emir Kusturica: The Palme d'Or Winning Director Who Built His Own Village

Art · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Emir Kusturica is a rare creative force who has mastered film, music, and architecture. A two-time Palme d'Or winner, he has navigated the complexities of Yugoslav identity and global acclaim, eventually constructing his own town, Drvengrad, to serve as a permanent stage for his artistic vision and life.

Born in 1954 in Sarajevo, Emir Kusturica emerged from the Prague film school tradition to become one of cinema's most decorated directors. His career is defined by high-stakes storytelling and a penchant for the surreal. He achieved international prominence early, winning the Golden Lion for his 1981 debut, Do You Remember Dolly Bell?, and securing two Palme d'Or awards at Cannes for When Father Was Away on Business and the controversial epic Underground.

Beyond the screen, Kusturica is a polymath whose work often blurs the lines between reality and performance. He is a member of the band The No Smoking Orchestra, with whom he has toured internationally since 1999, and he has successfully transitioned into literature. His 2010 autobiography, Death is an Unverified Rumour, became a massive commercial success, selling over 114,000 copies and spawning multiple translations. His creative output also extends to town-building; he established Drvengrad in the Mokra Gora region of Serbia, a village originally constructed for his film Life Is a Miracle.

Kusturica’s career has not been without intense scrutiny. His films, particularly Underground, have faced accusations of political bias, and his public remarks regarding the Bosnian War have frequently sparked international controversy. Despite these tensions, he remains a highly decorated figure, holding the French Legion of Honour and serving as a UNICEF ambassador. Whether directing punk operas or acting in international features, Kusturica continues to operate as a singular, often polarizing, architect of his own cultural universe.

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