The Karlovy Vary audience had the chance to attend the world premiere of the Serbian miniseries Absolute 100, presented by a large delegation of its creators.
Acclaimed director Srdan Golubović collaborated with his former students to create this tense and timely miniseries. After the nearly 300-minute screening, many in the audience were left wondering about the future of the project, especially since it has yet to be broadcast on Serbian television, despite being completed two years ago. “There’s no official explanation,” said co-director Stefan Ivančić. “The series was produced by the state broadcaster, which has overseen most of the TV series in Serbia over the past decade. Several of them were never aired – ours included. We didn’t want to let our work disappear, so we decided to take action. Srdan is also a well-known figure who often speaks out on political issues. There are rumours of an unofficial blacklist for certain creators in Serbia. That could be one reason, but we can only speculate,” explained Stefan Ivančić.
Golubović pointed to the fatalistic tone often present in Balkan art. Absolute 100 traces the fate of a family grappling with ongoing personal trauma and existential hardship, portrayed in a raw and uncompromising style. The narrative focuses on the family’s 19-year-old daughter, a junior champion in sports shooting. “We’re witnessing ruined lives and a shattered society,” said Golubović and also noted his desire to break away from the style of his previous work. “We want to tell contemporary stories. The protagonist is surrounded by a male world that has abandoned her to fend for herself, which is sadly typical of today’s society.”
Lead actress Anita Ognjanović spoke about the emotional demands of the role. “I felt very vulnerable while filming,” she shared. “We rehearsed for three months, and throughout that time I was constantly exploring the character’s motivations and inner life. I had trouble sleeping, I even had nightmares. But I actually appreciate that kind of creative pressure. It helped me deliver a better performance,” the actress described her preparation for the role.
