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Zlatko Burić: From Kugla Glumište to Palme D’or

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Zlatko Burić: From Kugla Glumište to Palme D’or

Zlatko Burić Kićo has become increasingly popular, especially since “Triangle of Sadness” by Ruben Östlund was released. That is to say, regarding mainstream audiences. However, he’s been known and loved by cinephiles, culture buffs, and art fans for many years.

You’ll rarely discover a true artist like Zlatko Buric. His story is fascinating, especially for someone from a deep underground culture. 

So, let’s start from his beginnings.

The Underground Beginnings of Zlatko Burić-Kićo

Zlatko Burić Kićo was born in Osijek, Croatia (then Yugoslavia), in a city that was culturally exciting while growing up. While still in Osijek, he made his first acting performances at the Mini Theater. His professor was Branko Mešeg, a theater actor and director who was the founder of this theater.

Then he moved to Zagreb, and it was time for a new adventure. In a way, the students surpassed the teacher, becoming even more culturally radical. Buric became part of the legendary experimental theater group called Kugla Glumište.

Kugla Glumište (Kugla Theater) Years

In the 70s, he had an amazing experience with the Kugla Theater, creating and performing acts that even today have a cult status. Kugla Glumište wasn’t just an experimental theater. It remains one of the most significant and radical performing groups, including interdisciplinary art and multimedia.

This avant-garde group of artists drew inspiration from popular culture, art, life experiences, everyday life, news, etc. Before the creative phase, Buric and his colleagues would research material and have ideological debates about the subject they wanted to explore. However, they didn’t have many rehearses. The reason was to avoid looking like a conventional theater and deliver unconventional performances.

They also had a Kugla band, which Zlatko Buric was part of.

A Cultural Radical and Activist Who Moved to Denmark

Zlatko Buric wasn’t interested in acting in conventional theaters, let alone movies. He wasn’t just part of Kugla Theater but also a cultural radical and activist.

In 1981, Buric finally moved to Denmark, even though he had been visiting before. In the early 90s, he began working at a refugee camp for people from Yugoslavia who fled the war.

In the camp, he heard of a group of ‘wild’ people preparing to make a movie. Believe it or not, Buric hadn’t acted in movies, even though he was around 44 years old. It turns out that the group of ‘wild’ people is Nicolas Winding Refn, Kim Bodnia, and Mads Mikkelsen making “Pusher.” Mads also had never acted in a movie before while it was Refn’s directing debut. The only professional actor was Bodnia.

Nevertheless, Buric finally decided to enter the movie world since he found a group that sees filmmaking otherwise. It wasn’t a mainstream project; they had excellent chemistry, and they were making something avant-garde. Some would even say that Refn inspired the Dogme 95 movement.

Acting Stereotypes Authentically

Zlatko Buric follows the Brechtian style. It isn’t surprising he collaborated with legendary actress and performer Sonja Savic.

His formative years were at a time when Osijek was vibrant, Zagreb was powerful via Kugla Theater, and the Black Wave was at its peak. Logically, Buric loves Makavejev and his radical work. He also loves the work of Zilnik and Pavlovic, but Mak is Mak.

Here’s an example of one of the differences between Buric and most actors. Both he and Miki Manojlovic were guests at a popular Croatian show, “Nedjeljom u dva” (Sunday at Two). When Miki was a guest and asked about getting an offer by Spielberg to play a Balkan criminal, he said he would never do it. It creates a wrong stereotype of Balkan people, he stated.

When Buric was a guest and asked about Manojlovic’s statement, he said it was total nonsense. Art uses stereotypes, and the only question is whether an actor does a good job or not. He stated that the entire Mannerism and Baroque movement is based on playing with stereotypes. Buric doesn’t like Manojlovic’s view also because thinking like that creates another troubling question. Can I, as a heterosexual, play a homosexual? Of course, Buric’s answer is yes because that’s the entire point of acting.

When one knows all of this, it’s evident why his character in “Pusher,” Milo, is so famous even though he is a Balkan criminal. Through Milo, Buric showed an acting style that was never seen before – it was revolutionary.

Zlatko Burić Movies You Should Watch

Here’s a list of some of the most significant Zlatko Buric movies in which he played exciting roles:

TV Shows with Zlatko Burić

This Osijek-born cultural activist and actor has also played excellent roles in various TV shows. Here are some of them:

Final Thoughts on Zlatko Buric and His Career

Here’s a Zlatko Buric interview to get to know him better. Still, it’s better to watch his performances, starting with “Pusher.” Also, discover more about the Telepathic International Group, an experimental group where he’s also a member.

It’s beautiful that we have the privilege of watching an artist like Buric. He is proof that you can stay a true artist and still be part of a film that’s nominated for Palme d’Or and Oscars. 

Undoubtedly, a true artist.

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