THE MINISTER’S WIFE
THE MINISTER’S WIFE
Branislav Nušić’s cult Serbian classic The Minister’s Wife is a character-driven comedy framed as a sharp social satire. The story of Živka Popović’s rise through the ranks of society lays bare the timeless mechanisms of vanity, ignorance, greed, and the relentless pursuit of social validation. Once a modest housewife, Živka is suddenly thrust into prominence by her husband’s unexpected political appointment. Almost overnight, she transforms into a figure of power and influence, calculating each step with the precision befitting her new status. She enters a world where power outweighs ethics, superficial prestige eclipses humanity, and the line between private life and politics blurs to a dangerous degree. Obsessed with control and her newfound position, Živka even coldly strategizes how best to capitalize on her daughter’s “marital value”. Acclaimed Montenegrin-Serbian director Veljko Mićunović brings a fresh staging that sharpens Nušić’s social satire. Through laughter, he exposes the ambition and greed at the core of human nature, drawing pointed parallels with today’s self-styled elites and entitled “señoritas” – overnight stars and social media influencers who mirror the aspirations of Živka’s world.
Fran Žižek Hall
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