video, art documentary
34:01 min.
In her third art documentary, Fam Fatal, Mirjana Mustra confronts the harrowing issue of femicide in Austrian society. As a survivor herself, she channels her artistic practice as a means of healing and overcoming trauma. Empowered by this process, she reclaims and redefines the misogynistic figure of the “femme fatale,” transforming it into a weapon against toxic masculinity and systemic patriarchal oppression.
The video unfolds in four distinct segments — The Analyses, The Act, The Poem, and The Interviews — and employs a multimedia approach that combines body intervention, animation, poetry, and field research. Through this structure, Mustra weaves together the historical roots of violence against women with its contemporary manifestations, while also sharing her own story. The work provides critical insights into current legal frameworks and activist strategies aimed at combating femicide and gender-based violence.
Fam Fatal is not only a deeply personal narrative but also an educational and activist tool — one that seeks to raise awareness, inspire solidarity, and equip viewers with knowledge to challenge and resist violence against women and girls.
UNTITLED NR. 1-9, 2022 -2023
photography and digital photomontage, printed on photo paper,
dimensions 20 x 20 cm
In her photographic series Untitled Nr. 1–9, Mirjana Mustra presents a self-developed method of healing. Through a process of self-psychoanalysis, she composes affirmations and arguments that confront her emotional wounds, inscribing them as graffiti within the intimate space of her apartment. In the artworks, these affirmations are superimposed onto her face, serving a dual purpose: guiding her personal journey of transformation while simultaneously reflecting to the viewer, creating a direct and intimate dialogue. By merging personal recovery with artistic expression, Mustra blurs the boundaries between art and life, opening a space for introspection and inviting viewers to consider their emotional landscapes and the potential for healing through self-awareness.
A survivor of femicide, Mustra developed this body of work over three years, using her artistic practice as a vital tool to process post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma. The Untitled series is part of a larger constellation of works in which she explores art as a means of survival and resilience, including the video My Snake is Blue and the performance/video cycle Trauma in Three Acts. Through these works, Mustra not only shares her personal story but also opens a broader dialogue on resilience, recovery, and the transformative power of art.
