DJ Ahmet

Directed by: Georgi M. Unkovski
Country, year: North Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia, Czech Rep., 2025, 99'

Cankarjev dom Cinema DJ Ahmet

Screenplay: Georgi M. Unkovski
Cinematography: Naum Doksevski
Cast: Arif Jakup (Ahmet), Agush Agushev (Naim), Aksel Mehmet (Ahmetov oče), Dora Akan Zlatanova (Aya)
Production: Cinema Futura
Distribution: Cinemania

Fifteen-year-old shepherd rebels against his conservative North Macedonian farming village when he gets a taste of electronic dance music in this heartwarming dramedy.

The narrative centres on Ahmet, a 15-year-old boy from the secluded village of Kodzalia in North Macedonia. He and his younger brother Naim, who has not spoken a word since their mother's death, are growing up amidst the religiously-minded conservative norms of their community. Contradicting his father's expectations, Ahmet discovers a passion for electronic music. When his father pulls him out of school to raise sheep, Ahmet shows his rebellious streak. He experiences love for the first time when he meets Aya. But Aya, having recently returned from Germany for an arranged marriage, is already promised to another.

I always deal with these characters that are struggling to find their place. I started with these really contrasting things that are very common in North Macedonia, where two generations have to coexist: one that grew up in a very traditional way, and a new generation that has the internet, TikTok and Instagram. The Yuruk ethnic minority is the most, let's say, extreme version of this contrast. They've been the subject of many documentaries, and I thought it would be amazing if we could do a fiction film with them.
Georgi M. Unkovski

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