The film Virus of Pathological Goodness with world premiere in Sarajevo

A new black comedy with elements of science fiction and satire, Virus Patološke Dobrote, premiered internationally in Sarajevo. The film, produced through a Serbian-Croatian-Slovenian co-production, marks the debut of director Predrag Ličina's latest work. The premiere took place in the city, where local residents are known for their sharp sense of humor. The story follows Zorka Vasiljević, played by Hristina Popović, who lives in Zagreb during 1983. One snowy night, a naked man claiming to come from the future, specifically 2031, enters her apartment. His goal is to prevent a pandemic caused by the “virus of pathological goodness,” which he claims threatens humanity. Initially skeptical, Zorka begins to see his predictions come true throughout the evening. The narrative blends dark humor with speculative fiction, offering a parody of contemporary issues, recent history, and a possible future where kindness could become a dangerous force. The film is based on a short story of the same name from the collection Bljuzga u Sumrak (Jesenski i Turk, 2022), written by Ličina himself. It features an impressive cast including Nikola Đuričko as Luka Radivojević, alongside Gordan Kičić, Tihana Lazović Trifunović, Goran Bogdan, and Rade Šerbedžija. The production was led by producer Đorđe Vranješ, co-producer Vanja Sremac, and associate producer Aleš Pavlin, with Slovenian production company Portobisso contributing to the project. The cinematography was handled by Saša Petković and Dragan Radetić, while Vanja Kovačević edited the film. The soundtrack includes compositions by Jura Ferina and Pavao Miholjević. Financial support came from the Serbian Film Center (FCS) and the Croatian Audiovisual Center (HAVC). Additionally, the film received backing from the Office for Human Rights and the Rights of National Minorities of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, along with the Serbian National Council. The film’s international theatrical release is scheduled for November in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. This is Ličina’s second feature-length film, following his award-winning Poslednji Srb (Last Serb) at the Croatian Film Festival, as well as his short films Kam je izginula Slovenija? (Where Has Slovenia Gone?) and Teleport Zovko. His distinctive satirical style, combined with elements of science fiction, has been a hallmark of his previous works. Ličina expressed his satisfaction with the Sarajevo premiere, stating that the audience there appreciates humor told from personal experience. He described the film as the first satirical science fiction black comedy exploring time travel, blending current events, historical moments, and a hypothetical future where goodness might pose the greatest threat. The film challenges viewers to consider how societal values evolve over time and how perceptions of morality can shift dramatically.