The Nikšić Theater's play "Hero of the Nation" triumphed at the 30th edition of the Yugoslav Theater Festival in Užice "Without Translation", winning the jury and the audience and six "Ardalion" awards.
The play, based on the text by Ivan M. Lalić, directed by Milan Nešković, was declared the best, winning the "Ardalion" for the best play, according to the evaluation of the expert jury consisting of: president Branislava Stefanović and members: Miodrag Tabački and Đorđe Kostić.
The jury made all decisions unanimously. They also emphasized in their explanation that "Hero of the Nation" is the most complete play, stating that it is "a unique play in terms of style and genre, on a seesaw between comedy and tragedy, drama and melodramatic", and that the actors "create a play whose absurdity the audience recognizes as their own with their balanced play".
The play also won the Ardalion for best direction, which was awarded to director Milan Nešković who "impeccably unlocked the text, transposing it into the contemporary technological and social moment". They also assessed that the rhythm of the play is built "through the movement of the set, changes in perspective, light, sound and skillful use of live streaming and video projection". Thus, "Ardalion" for best set design went to the production of the Nikšić Theater, and the award was won by Vesna Sušić for a solution whose construction and rotation allow for playing on both a real and symbolic level.
The award for best actress went to Biljana Keskenović for her role as Desanka Stanišić in "Hero of the Nation." The jury emphasized that the experienced actress manages to find new colors and values in the genre-demanding composition of the play.
The Ardalion for Best Young Actor went to Stevan Vuković for his role as Ljubomir Stanišić in the same play, with the jury's assessment that he "successfully reconciles comedic and dramatic means, giving a diabolical ending to this dystopian story."
The special "Ardalion" award was given to Vladan Gajović for the monologue of Budimir Stanišić in the play "Hero of the Nation." It is a role that "gains its full meaning in the final monologue of the play," at the crossroads of dramatic and cinematic expression, the jury noted in its explanation.
In addition to the awards that went to the Nikšić Theatre ensemble, others were also awarded. The "Ardalion" for best male role went to Nebojša Ilić for his performance in the play "My Theatre" by Boris Liješević, produced by Atelje 212. Vojin Ćetković was awarded for a cameo role for his performance in the same play, with the jury stating that he proved that "there are no small roles".
The award for costume design was given to Adisa Vatreš Selimović for her work on the play "Ljubavnice" by the Chamber Theater 55 from Sarajevo.
The expert jury and the audience could not agree on the best performance of the festival. While the jury unanimously declared "Hero of the Nation" the best performance, the audience awarded the highest score (4,7) to the play "My Theater" by Boris Liješević.
"The Nikšić Theater thanks the festival organizers, the expert jury and the audience for their support and recognition of our work. This success once again confirms the importance of continuous investment in artistic creativity and strengthening the cultural scene," the statement said.
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