Dragan Mićanović speech ban sparks censorship debate in Montenegro

A controversy regarding freedom of speech has emerged in Montenegro following the decision to prevent Serbian actor Dragan Mićanović from delivering his prepared speech at the opening of the Herceg Novi Film Festival. Mićanović stated he had submitted the text to organizers specifically for translation and subtitling purposes. Montenegro’s Minister of Culture and Media, Tamara Vujović, defended the decision, characterizing it as an “organizer’s responsibility toward the character of the event” and stating that political speeches do not belong at artistic festivals.

Critics, including Nenad Čanak and actor Darko Tomović, have condemned the move as censorship. They argue that the decision serves to avoid political friction with the Serbian government.

Separately, in Serbia, Hollywood actor Jean-Claude Van Damme attended the Niš International Film Festival as a guest. Festival organizers clarified that Van Damme appeared without a financial fee, attending as a friend of the festival. During his visit, he addressed the local audience and participated in humanitarian activities at the University Clinical Center Niš.