It’s a shock in Croatia. Director Dalibor Matanic posted a Facebook post online on Friday, April 5, in which he admitted to sexually assaulting several women. The director of the series The last socialist artifact y emphasized Have “Already introduced personally [s] I apologize to some women and theirs [avoir] to ask for forgiveness”, and commits to working on yourself “so that such behavior and actions never happen again.” The confessions were posted online after the publication of several press articles reporting around 200 female victims. No complaint has yet been filed, Croatian police said.
The director nevertheless assures on Facebook that he always made sure to create a working atmosphere for his sets – “That’s why most actors like working with me because I don’t tolerate harassment.” The post, which has since been deleted, was reproduced in its entirety, as was the director’s profile Croatian daily newspaper Vespers list.
However, he admits to having done it “inappropriate actions” towards certain women. “I wasn’t aware of my bad attitude towards my colleagues.” he wrote. Investigations published in Croatian media report inappropriate gestures and invitations, as well as the sending of photos and messages of a sexual nature. “It could be criminal activity”emphasizes the Croatian police.
Acting “under the influence of alcohol and drugs”
In one Article published on Saturday April 6thThe same newspaper accuses him of trying to minimize the damage to his image with this publication and thus making the statements of the women he allegedly attacked invisible. Journalist Tia Špero also denounces the wave of positive and encouraging reactions that spread after the director’s release: “It’s human to make mistakes” et “Bravo, given,” According to her, we could read it in the comments under the post.
In the second part of his text, Dalibor Matanic explains that he is undergoing detoxification. “This all happened at times when I was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Our job is terribly stressful – but that in no way justifies my behavior.” Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic announced the opening of an investigation, which was confirmed by Antonio Gerovac, the head of the Croatian police.
Flood of reactions
While the topic of violence and sexual assault was long considered taboo in the Balkans, where patriarchal values are still entrenched in parts of the region, Dalibor Matanic’s publication sparked a flood of reactions in Croatia. Sanja Sarnavka, women’s rights activist, commented: “It’s a terrible shock because he presented himself as an ally.” Ida Prester, singer and television journalist, echoed this response and shared the magazine’s cover with him in October 2023 Gloria dedicated to the fight againstViolence against women. “He has always condemned sex offenders and supported the #metoo movement. […] That makes things worse,” She commented accordingly Morning newspaper.
Matanic’s most famous film abroad, Blazing sun, was selected at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and won the “Un Sure Regard” Jury Prize. In the days following his post FacebookAll of his contracts have been terminated, he reported Croatian daily newspaper Morning newspaper. In his text published on social networks, he had already announced his withdrawal from public life.
Updated April 9 at 11:30 a.m., adding the number of victims and complaints as well as statements from the Croatian police.
