THE FAVORED
Short film (Awarded as Best film in selection: Experimental film/video art at Martovski Festival, Belgrade 2023)
Duration: 06:20
“The video work “The favored” unfolds as a series of sequences in which the artist crochets milieu in different locations in Belgrade. For his action, Nikola chooses spaces of traditional expression and glorification of masculinity: tribunes, football stadium field, construction sites, weapons in front of the Military Museum, as well as a priory with a concrete wall filled with graffiti.
So behind Dimitrovic’s back we read the inscription “national hero”, and that detail offers the key to understanding the work itself. A man, and men are In the Balkan social code recognized as “merciless heroes”, he vacates the typically female action of crocheting milieu in an attempt to open up the possibility for dialogue about gender stereotypes.”
Nela Tonković
curator at Contemporary gallery, Subotica
Excerpt from the video: “The favored” 2023
Shown at: “Comfort Zone” Liget Gallery, OFF Bienale Budapest, curated by ETC. collective / Solo show “The Favored” with Kemil Bekteši, Contemporary Gallery Subotica, curated by Nela Tonković
Screenings: Martovski festival, Belgrade 2023 / Queer Museum Vienna 2024 / Museum of Folk Art and Culture, Vienna 2024 / Short film night (Part of PODIUM project of U10 Art Space, New Cinema “Zvezda” 2023
Courtesy of the artist
Shown at: “Comfort Zone” Liget Gallery, OFF Bienale Budapest, curated by ETC. collective / Solo show “The Favored” with Kemil Bekteši, Contemporary Gallery Subotica, curated by Nela Tonković
Screenings: Martovski festival, Belgrade 2023 / Queer Museum Vienna 2024 / Museum of Folk Art and Culture, Vienna 2024 / Short film night (Part of PODIUM project of U10 Art Space, New Cinema “Zvezda” 2023
Courtesy of the artist
"For communicating and addressing a social problem that goes back in time, but is still present, using only the power of the image."
Explanation of the jury at Martovski Festival
Published in ETC. Magazine (2025) [pages: 104-111]