Film and Discussion: Kiss the Future, at Harvard Kennedy School

Join us for a screening of the documentary film “Kiss the Future.” The screening will be followed by a discussion with Bill Carter, the film’s protagonist and screenwriter. The discussion and Q&A will be moderated by Ambassador Samantha Power, HKS Anna Lindh Professor of the Practice of Global Leadership and Public Policy and HLS William D. Zabel ’61 Professor of Practice in Human Rights, as well as former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and the former Administrator of USAID.

Film Description

“Kiss the Future” is a powerful story of defiance and creativity set against the 1990s siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War. Between 1992 and 1996, as the city endured constant shelling and isolation, a vibrant underground community of artists and musicians emerged, using culture as an act of resistance and a way to draw global attention to the unfolding crisis.

Their efforts captured the attention of American aid worker Bill Carter, whose experiences later inspired his book “Fools Rush In” and the film’s screenplay. Determined to amplify Sarajevo’s voice beyond its borders, Carter reached out to one of the world’s most influential bands, U2, setting in motion an extraordinary connection between a besieged city and the global stage.

“Kiss the Future” follows this unlikely alliance, exploring how music, art, and solidarity can challenge silence in the face of war—and how hope can survive even in the darkest circumstances.

About this film:

Kiss the Future, 2024 (Artists Equity; Fifth Season; AMC; Paramount+; English; 103 min.)