‘Honeyland’ Director Ljubomir Stefanov’s ‘The Vortex of Extinction’ Draws Parallel Between Violence in Animals and Humans

Unveiled at Visions du Réel’s industry forum, the film follows a scientist documenting a turtle population gripped by a disturbing pattern of extreme male aggression leading to a collapse in reproduction

By Lise Pedersen

Lise Pedersen

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Should scientists intervene when faced with the possible self-destruction of a species?

That question sits at the heart of “The Vortex of Extinction,” the new documentary project from Ljubomir Stefanov, the Oscar-nominated director of “Honeyland,” presented at Visions du Réel’s industry pitching forum.

The film centers on Dragan Arsovski, a scientist who has spent years studying turtles on Golem Grad Island, a remote ecosystem in North Macedonia, often described as “the Galapagos of Europe.” Long fascinated by the species, Arsovski began documenting a population living on an isolated plateau, only to uncover a deeply disturbing pattern: a skewed sex ratio triggering extreme male aggression and a collapse in reproduction.

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