Zivojin Zika Pavlovic is undoubtedly one of Yugoslavia’s most prominent film directors. He was one of the leaders of the Black Wave, which was one of the most authentic film movements worldwide.
Zika Pavlovic wasn’t just a director. He was also an intellectual, professor, writer, and painter. A rare talent, one who is born once in many years. Therefore, let’s address his story without further ado.
The Film Career and Style of Zika Pavlovic
Pavlovic began to write about film and art for Belgrade magazines when he was 19. He graduated painting in Belgrade and didn’t direct his first amateur movie until he was 25.
Along with Dusan Makavejev, Aleksandar Sasa Petrovic, Zelimir Zilnik, and other directors, he led the famous Yugoslav Black Wave movement. Almost all directors from this movement had political issues, and Zika Pavlovic wasn’t an exception. He was highly criticized by government officials after he made The Ambush in 1969. Because of this, he could work only in Slovenia for some time.
All Zika Pavlovic movies have an authentic and recognizable expression. He was excellent at making social dramas and was also known for the themes he addressed. Many Black Wave movement films focused on marginalized people, and so did Pavlovic by creating main characters who were on the margin of society. Hence why his movies had a critical attitude which was perfect but not really accepted by government officials. His authenticity also is evident through his naturalism.
Since he was much younger, Zelimir Zilnik first worked as an assistant for both Makavejev and Pavlovic. He once explained, and I’m paraphrasing, the difference between Makavejev and Pavlovic. Mak was an experimental force of nature who loved to improvise and could invent or be inspired by something while filming on set. Zika was totally different; he would always come extremely prepared on set with a strict plan. Nevertheless, they were both geniuses, literally.
Zivojin Pavlovic Movies
Here’s a list of the most important Zivojin Pavlovic movies:
- When I’m Dead and Gone (Kad budem mrtav i beo) – 1967
- The Ambush (Zaseda) – 1969
- The Rats Woke Up (Budjenje Pacova) – 1967
- The Enemy (Neprijatelj) – 1965
- The City (Grad) – 1963 – with Marko Babac and Vojislav Rakonjac. Even though there were other banned movies, “The City” is the only officially banned movie in Yugoslavia. It was banned until 1990. It’s considered one of the first Black Wave movies.
- The Return (Povratak) – 1966
- Red Wheat (Rdece Klasje) – 1970
- The Flight of Dead Bird (Let mrtve ptice) – 1973
- Hajka (Manhunt) – 1977
- Zadah Tela (Body Scent) – 1983
- Deserter (Dezerter) – 1992
- On the Road to Katanga (Na putu za Katangu) – 1987
- See You in the Next War (Nasvidenje v naslednji vojni) – 1980
- Raindrops, Waters, Warriors (Kapi, vode, ratnici) – 1962 – Omnibus with Marko Babac and Vojislav Rakonjac.
- The State of the Dead (Drzava mrtvih) – 2002
If you want to research further, here’s the Zivojin Pavlovic IMDB profile.
Significant Film Awards Won by Žika Pavlović
Here’s a list of some of the most important film festivals where Zika Pavlovic movies were nominated for or/and won awards:
- Berlin International Film Festival
- Venice Film Festival
- Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
- Pula Film Festival of Yugoslavian Films
- Serbian Film Festival
Pavlovic was also praised by some of the best film critics worldwide. Furthermore, retrospectives of his filmography have been organized in various places, including:
- Paris (France) – 1986 and 1990
- Pesaro (Italy) – 1983
- La Rochelle (France) – 1985
- Montpellier (France) – 1990
- Strasbourg (France) – 1991
The Controversy Around Zika Pavlovic’s Last Film
“The State of the Dead” is his last movie, which he unfortunately didn’t come out while he was alive.
Playwright Sinisa Kovacevic and producer Zoja Todorovic suggested that he make a film according to Kovacevic’s theater play “Janez.” Zika Pavlovic accepted and called his movie “The State of the Dead.”
The script was about the falling apart of a family, metaphorically addressing the falling apart of Yugoslavia. Pavlovic shot the movie in a month and a half, finishing in September 1997. Still, the entire project stopped because of unknown reasons. Zivojin Pavlovic passed away in 1998 but the movie still wasn’t finished.
His family and the producer wanted director Slobodan Šijan to finish the movie. However, this also didn’t happen since Šijan already had to go to the US. Another option was Ratiborka Ćeramilac, first assistant director but this also didn’t happen. The delays continued until new producer Maksa Ćatović came and it was decided that Dinko Tucaković should finish the film. Tucaković was Zika Pavlovic’s student and was also familiar with the story.
In the midst of all the issues from the beginning like adapting the script, shooting, editing, and audience premiere, there were also several deaths. After the work on this movie began, Zivojin Pavlovic, actors Predrag Milinkovic, Ranko Gucevac, Dragan Maksimovic, and DOP Aleksandar Petkovic died. An even bigger paradox was the title of the movie.
Believe it or not, even after the film was finished there were premiere postponements. The film finally premiered on November 29th, 2002, exactly four years after Zivojin Pavlovic passed away.
Significant Literary Awards Won by Živojin Pavlović
As mentioned at the beginning, Zika Pavlovic was also a writer. It’s fascinating how successful he was as a director, but also as a writer and painter. That’s what makes him one of the greatest Balkan artists ever.
He won the “Isidora Sekulic” Award for creative writing for “Two Nights in Autumn” (Dve večeri u jesen) in 1967. For “Slices of Time” (Kriske vremena) 1993 he won the Andrić Prize. Pavlovic also won two NIN awards for Best Novel of the Year for “Wall of Death” (Zid smrti) in 1985 and “Lapot” in 1992.
Final Thoughts on Živojin Pavlović
To explain through writing how impressive Zivojin Pavlovic was would take many more pages. That’s why it’s better to watch his movies, read his books, and enjoy his paintings but most of all watch his movies.
Zivojin Zika Pavlovic remains a legendary director, not just Black Wave but overall. Luckily, he was also a professor and passed on his knowledge to new generations. His daughter, Milena Pavlovic, is a successful actress.
If you want to read more about other directors, here’s my list of blog posts!
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