Iva Milanović - Powerful Truth in Motion

In this conversation, Iva reflects on the challenges and promises of working within a regional scene, the artists that shaped her, and the evolving narratives she hopes to embody. Her answers reveal not just an artist, but someone deeply engaged with her craft, the world around her, and the countless lives still waiting to be lived through performance.

Iva Milanović // Photo source: Tanjug

How do you navigate the shift between the immediacy of the stage and the intimacy of the camera?

I would say that I shift easily. I enjoy the variety between those two. Even though I enjoy intimacy of the camera much more, I enjoy the details and feel more comfortable in front of the camera, I also enjoy theater very much. You can work on your tools much better and more frequent, being present in that moment excites me, makes me compete with myself and enjoy the exchange with others, beautiful moments happen in the theater.

Contemporary performance art is constantly evolving. In what ways do you see theatre and film

responding to today’s social settings?

I don't know. But I hope that it's gonna be opposite of the current reality of my country and the world right now.

What unique challenges or opportunities does regional scene offer?

Better question is what opportunities does it give despite the challenges. Unique and brave artists, creative minds and authentic talents.

Is there a particular moment or role that you consider a turning point in your artistic journey?

If I had to choose a moment it would be the day that I got into the Academy, everything after that was a domino effect. In that logic, everything started way before that, and I can't wait to see where will it take me.

Who were the artists, local or international, that first made you believe this was your path?

I didn't have a role model growing up, or someone I looked up to professionally, I just followed myself, I felt I belonged in this profession since I was little and I'm grateful that the universe agrees. But I had reminders along the way, as I had doubts as artists do, that this is my path. People like Jug Djordjevic, Milos Lolic and Nikola Zavisic, and many of my other colegues that I worked with, were the people who helped my articulate my taste and language.

How do you see the role of women in contemporary performance evolving?

I don't know but I like to imagine that there will be roles with more meat and complexity. I'm sure that it will.

What draws you most to a role, is it the complexity of the character, the message?

Probably the complexity first, I'm really interested in the logic of the character and people generally. Everybody does something for a reason. I like being a detective and connecting the dots. But I'm always focused on the story and the bigger picture. How is the character functional in the story, why is he here and what does he contribute.

What do you believe gives a performance an amount of power and emotional weight?

It depends on the character, story... but the truth, the truth is always powerful. Truth can have many forms and genres but it will always make a path for someone to understand and sympathize.

What is your core motivation to continue your art work? The truth, logic, play, freedom and irratio. I would love to understand and live as many life's as I can.

Author: Hana Tiro