The text, which begins in Ladimirevci during the third year of the plague called World War II, has long since become a cultural touchstone. This is evident both through the theatrical performance brought to life at Gavella on March 12, 1982, with the author of the text in the lead role, and through Branko Schmidt's film debut in 1988. Šovagović’s dramatic chronicle (as the author genre-classifies it) — a cultural and ideological essence of Slavonia — premiered at the Osijek theater on May 19, 1983, under the direction of Joško Juvančić. Sokol did not love him now returns in the best possible way: a co-production between the Croatian National Theatre in Osijek and the Gavella City Drama Theater, merging the mentioned flatland landscape with the “arena” of its premiere, under the direction of Filip Šovagović.
"Sokol did not love him" is an organic Croatian drama. In its organic authenticity, it holds the power of ancient drama. And the allure of truth about humanity that every sinful human acknowledges as their own. That primal humanity that understands fear, feels compassion, does not forget suffering, endures, and reconciles.
And listens.
- Anja Šovagović Despot