The premiere of the new theater production “Climax” was held at the Heartefact House

Climax News Reconnection 2.0

On December 14th, the premiere of the new theater production “Climax,” directed by Patrick Lazić and dramaturged by Dunja Matić, took place at the Heartefact House. The inspiration for this project came from the controversial film of the same name by globally acclaimed director Gaspar Noé.

The initial idea for adapting this film, which leaves no one indifferent, came from young actor Aleksej Bjelogrlić, who also plays a role in the play alongside Pavle Mensur, Anja Ćurčić, and Andrej Nježić.

The film “Climax” is based on a true story about a young and ambitious dance troupe practicing in an abandoned school, and the night before a crucial performance, they lose control of themselves due to a hallucinogenic drug secretly added to their drinks. Fear, uncertainty, and a feeling of being coerced into the experience trigger panic, paranoia, violence, and activate deeply suppressed parts of their personalities.

When asked why he suggested a theatrical adaptation of this film to Heartefact, Aleksej Bjelogrlić said: “I am glad that Heartefact is now developing a new scene, which gives opportunities to young people. This play is worked on by a group of young people, both authors and actors. That may be the most important thing. That there are young people who want to explore and analyze the society they live in and who want to change it for the better through work and engagement. The awareness of each individual is important. And I think that’s what brought actors and authors together in this story.”

“For me, Climax is a story about the thin line in all of us between human and animal (beast), between reason and instinct, and how that line shifts very flexibly under certain circumstances. Also, I’m working on this story because I wonder what it is in human nature that starts to destroy things just when everything is fine. We have gathered a great young acting team, and I am looking forward to exploring this theme with them, making the proposed characters their own and authentic with each passing day,” stated director Patrick Lazić, for whom this is the second play in Heartefact’s production, following “Our Son,” which will also be performed on the Heartefact House stage.

Playwright Dunja Matić has been involved in the development of the idea for the play “Climax” together with Aleksej Bjelogrlić and Patrick Lazić from the beginning, and she emphasizes: “Gaspar Noé is known for his unique visual aesthetics, and the film ‘Climax’ is a prime example of how the director’s specific expression, recognizable by long, fluid scenes and intense camera work, skillfully hypnotizes the audience. Our intention was to transfer this visual explosion onto the stage and provide the audience with a new live experience. Our goal is for this play to contain both emotional depth and sensory dynamics on stage. Personally, I am further encouraged to think outside the usual frameworks in order to complement, adapt, and convincingly present such a story.”

The creative team of the play also includes Yllka Brada (costumes), Tadi, Bijat (music), Biljana Todorović (stage speech), Elektrobuba (light design), Vladimir Miladinović-Piki (photo and video production), Marko-Vuleta Đukanov (poster design), Nemanja Calić, Bojan Durutović (technical associates), Selena Pleskonjić (executive production).

The audience will be able to see the play “Climax” until the end of the year on December 16th, 23rd, and 26th.

The play is realized within the framework of the Reconnection 2.0 program, which was established in collaboration between the Heartefact Foundation and Qendra Multimedia, and supported by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

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Interaction

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Norwegian Premiere of “They are All Gone” at the International Ibsen Scope Festival

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Beyond Borders: Join Us in Shaping the Future of Independent Culture in Skopje 2026

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Open Call for Playwrights: Playground for Emerging Playwrights – Kosovo

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Human Rights Leadership Program Seminar Was Held

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Call for Project Proposals: Grants for the Implementation of Artistic Projects by Young and/or Emerging Artists (My First Time)

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Exhibition of Personal Stories from Marginalized Communities “There’s Room for Everyone” Opened at Heartefact House

The exhibition “There’s Room for Everyone”, part of the campaign of the same name, was officially opened on Thursday, September 4, in the lobby of Heartefact House and will be available to visitors until the end of September. Photographs of various marginalized communities in Serbia, staged inside an elevator, are accompanied by personal testimonies of participants, highlighting that diversity should not be a reason for exclusion, but rather an opportunity for solidarity.

Students from Serbia visited the Short Theatre Festival in Rome within the European project Fabulamundi – New Voices

As part of the final phase of the European project Fabulamundi – New Voices, in which Heartefact and partners from about ten countries have been participating over the past two and a half years, we organized a visit of students from Serbia to the partner festival Short Theatre in Rome. The visit took place from September 5 to 7, during the 20th anniversary edition of this renowned festival.

The project “Culture for Development” announces to the public the names of the projects that received support within the first call!

The grants for cultural and artistic projects are awarded for the development and implementation of socially relevant contemporary art projects that contribute to the enrichment of culture and promote diversity in artistic practices and expressions, address critical social issues, and encourage community development.

Young Artists and Activists from Serbia Visited Festivals in Pristina and Prizren as Part of Heartefact’s Visiting Program

As part of Heartefact’s Kosovo–Serbia Visiting Program, we organized a visit in early August to festivals in Pristina and Prizren for a group of young artists and activists from Serbia. During the visit, the participants had the opportunity to attend three major cultural events in Kosovo – the 24th edition of the DokuFest International Documentary Film Festival in Prizren, the 6th edition of the Sunny Hill music festival in Pristina, and the 5th edition of the Autostrada Biennale, an international contemporary art festival.

OPEN CALL: GRANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

Public presentation of the play Doughnuts held as part of the New Voices workshop

On Sunday, July 6, a public presentation of the play Doughnuts (Buhtle) was held at Heartefact House, marking the conclusion of the four-day Playground for New Voices workshop. The workshop took place within the European project Fabulamundi: New Voices, which Heartefact implements with partners from nine European countries. It was led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, in collaboration with emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac, the acting ensemble, and translator Olja Petronić.

Exploring and developing contemporary drama through process: Doughnuts by Jelena Krdžavac in the spotlight of the Playground workshop

As part of the Fabulamundi project, implemented by Heartefact in collaboration with partners from nine European countries, the Playground workshop is taking place in Belgrade from July 3 to 6. Led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, the workshop brings together a cast of actors and emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac to explore and further develop her play Doughnuts (Buhtle), which was shortlisted in last year’s Heartefact Competition for Best Contemporary Socially Engaged Drama.

Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Call for Cultural and Artistic Project Implementation in Serbia

An exceptional response—totaling 273 applications—reflects the critical position of the cultural sector in Serbia in the context of the current political and social climate. Based on the Commission’s evaluation, 22 projects have been selected for support, with a total budget of 21,500,000.00 RSD. Although this amount exceeds the originally planned budget for this call, we believe that, amid the ongoing crisis and with public calls for cultural funding either canceled or indefinitely postponed, such support is more necessary than ever.

Artistic Residency and Public Presentation of Gaelle Axelbrun’s Play Held as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, an artistic residency of French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun took place at Heartefact House in Belgrade, as part of the European project Playground. During this intensive seven-day working period, Gaelle, together with director Tara Manić, translator Olja Petronić, and the acting ensemble—Nevena Kočović, Jana Bjelica, and Andrej Nježić—explored the dramaturgical and performative potential of her play Far from the Mud in Which We Sink into Sleep.

Residency of French Author Gaelle Axelbrun in Belgrade as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, the Heartefact House in Belgrade will host a residency for French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun as part of the European project Playground. This intensive seven-day residency, organized by Heartefact, is part of an international collaboration focused on the development of contemporary dramatic texts by emerging European authors.

First Seminar for Youth from Serbia Held as Part of the Regional VIBE Program

From June 20 to 22, 2025, Heartefact organized a three-day seminar for young people from Serbia in Belgrade as part of the regional program VIBE – Connecting Young People. The program brings together youth from Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and exchange. Designed as a space for learning, dialogue, and connection, it focuses on human rights, regional cooperation, the shared history of the region, and reflections on the future that young people wish to shape through activism and civic engagement.