11. 10. 2009.

Bosnian performances at this year's MESS – Authentic exploratory endeavours

This year's MESS Festival Selector Primož Bebler has decided that Bosnia and Herzegovina will at this year's Festival be represented on stage by the productions “Beast on the Moon” (directed by Dino Mustafić, produced by the Mostar Youth Theatre), “Nora” (directed by Haris Pašović, and produced by the EastWest Centre), and “Stone Balloon – My Memories” (directed by Filip Grinvald, and produced by the Republic of Srpska National Theatre, Banja Luka). Bebler came to this decision after careful viewing of 10 plays, by 7 theatre companies in Sarajevo, Tuzla, Banja Luka and Mostar.

“I looked at 10 nominees, and got a good impression about the vitality and artistic ambition of theatres in BiH, and their great desire to be socially involved. Though mutually quite different, which further strengthens the impression I have, these ten plays are still connected by the above qualities. They are exceptionally vibrant productions, with a recognisable aesthetic goal and an articulated, critical view of reality.” This was the official statement given by selector Primož Bebler, who opted for the three productions above, describing them as: “above all, authentic exploratory endeavours which appear disconcerting, both aesthetically and plot-wise.”

MOSTAR YOUTH THEATRE

Kalinowski  BEAST ON THE MOON

Director:   Dino MUSTAFIĆ

„ We can claim without exaggeration that Beast on the Moon develops to perfection an astounding compactness of events, and a polished expression. The harmony of the language of the director, and the performance of the actors, coupled with a moving story, simply rivets the viewer.”

Seta is a sixteen-year-old Armenian, chosen by Armenian expatriate Aram to be his wife- to have children with, build a life with, and to help him overcome the scars of the past. Aram and Seta's share a similar fate – both are survivors of the genocide in Armenia, when their entire families perished. The pain they feel, the painful silence that falls between them, that both brings them together and rifts them apart, is felt throughout the performance. In every critical moment of their relationship, the past returns to haunt them.

EASTWEST CENTER

Henrik Ibsen NORA

Director: Haris PAŠOVIĆ

“In this performance, the force, dynamicity, challenge – a radical directing approach followed faithfully through, are simply captivating. The play teems with paradox – it is both rebellious and contemplative, and speaks out both from experience and from a vigour characteristic of youth.”

The brave and challenging “Nora”, as directed by Haris Pašović, breaks all stereotypes. It is both spectacularly entertaining, with outstanding dances, costumes, lights and music, as well as profoundly serious in its approach to the philosophy of liberty, individualism and women’s rights.

We should also mention that the MESS special programme will this year also feature Haris Pašović’s “The Class Enemy”. This exceptional work of theatre comes back to its Sarajevo audience from a tour of the world’s best-known and most renowned festivals, basking in the positive reviews of both international criticism and audiences.

THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA NATIONAL THEATRE, BANJA LUKA

Radmila Smiljanić STONE BALLOON – MY MEMORIES

Director:  Filip GRINVALD

“A true kaleidoscope, presenting explorations that were born at the author’s desk, and that, on its way to the actors, passed through the director’s seductively sensitive optical approach. A dishevelled and poetic happening, packed into a form of intimate, truthful prosaic confession”.

The play is the premiere production of a text by author Radmila Smiljanić, directed by young Belgrade director Filip Grinvald. The set design is the work of Vladimir Pavlović, costumes are by Zagorka Stojanović, who is assisted by Ivana Jovanović. The music is the work of the "Sopot" band, and the movement on stage by Miloš Paunović. A story about socialism in a village in the Bosnian Krajina region, told by the female protagonist, who narrates the story from our time.

The Bosnian productions at this year’s MESS will be performed at the following times:

17.10.2009.

18:00,  22:00 Academy of Dramatic Arts

R.Kalinowski: BEAST ON THE MOON

18.10.2009.

19:30 UNITIC

H.Ibsen: NORA

19.10.2009.

19:30 Sarajevo National Theatre

R.Smiljanić: STONE BALLOON – MY MEMORIES