direction I was heading in. I’m cur- rently performing there in the plays Kramer vs. Kramer, Don't Bet on the Brits and Charlotte Castelli, which premiered recently. As long as I feel happy to see the Belgrade Drama Theatre and feel like I’m en- tering that temple of art for the first time, I will know that it isn’t merely a place where I experience other people’s lives on stage, but also my home.” You performed in the pre- miere of the play Kramer vs. Kramer at the Belgrade Drama Theatre prior to the start of summer, while September’s rerun also went wonderfully. Did you feel overburdened by the excellent film and the su- perb Dustin Hoffman? “That is a very important film from the now distant 1979, star- ring the phenomenal Dustin Hoff- man, Meryl Streep and their son Billy, which brilliantly evoked all kids around the world whose par- ents divorced suddenly. When I started working on that play, I wasn't entirely sure if the script would still be interesting to people, given that the subject matter (di- vorce and custody battles) is ubiq- uitous. But it actually remains in- teresting. As for my predecessor in that role, I didn’t feel pressure, be- cause Dustin is Dustin and it would be unrealistic to even consider his performance as a reference. That’s why I have my own Kramer.” The play Charlotte Castel- li, based on the themes of the book Messrs Glembay, had its premiere late last month. What was it like to work on a Krleža piece? “I actually don’t think I’ve ever previously played something like the works of Krleža, who many con- sider as being perhaps the most perfect writer from these lands and beyond. I joined the cast of the play completely by chance, and ended up portraying no less than the charac- ter of Leon Glembay, which I real- ly like so far. As for Krleža... I see every word, every comma, every
deo now, I somehow see a brand new me, as if I had yet to be tak- en out of the packaging. I can also admit that I even feel like crying when I see such carefree kids: smil- ing, believing, crazy, keen, gentle, and gathered together! I’m much more miserable now, and I’ve on- ly just got to know life.” You share a birthday with Bata Živojinović and al- ways talk about him with great admiration. Which of his achievements do you strive to possibly emulate? “Velimir Bata Živojinović is certainly one of the most impor- tant Yugoslav actors, if not the most important. He was an abso- lute tsar of cinematography! It’s madness to talk about who is the best singer, best actor, best paint- er. Some people’s art reaches you faster and with more precision and honesty than someone else’s, but that doesn’t mean the painter or ac- tor in question is better than their colleague. No! Art is magic, it al- ways happens here and now, and never tomorrow. Art is in the air, and you’re actually a lucky man if it’s also come to you.” Which roles or achieve- ments do you daydream about? “I only dream about one role. I don’t know why, but it’s long been on my mind. I won’t say which role, of course, because that would sound like I’m recommend- ing myself. But, yes, there’s one se- rious stud who departed our world about 15 years ago that I would love to portray.” Do you like to travel, and first and foremost do you like planes? “I adore flying, which I also do often because of work! I love it when I arrive at the airport, par- ticularly ours in Belgrade, because I know that I will return to it again, but only after some nice adven- ture. The people at the airport and at Air Serbia do very responsible work, but they’re always kindly, so I’ve only ever had pleasant expe- riences. It’s simple – I love to fly!”
sentence clearly and hear it in col- ours, simply unbelievable. The great Krleža!” Returning briefly to televi- sion, do you already know what awaits Inspector Ple- tikosić in the third season of Black Sun, which is due to be shot by year’s end 2024? Are you looking for- ward to that role? “That is probably one of the most serious and realistically cre- ated series there’s ever been in our country, if not the best ever se- ries. I don’t know what will hap- pen with my character in the third season because I haven’t received the script, but I’m not overly look- ing forward to returning to Stanko, because that work can be very ar- duous (laughs).” Everything started for you with the role in Montevi- deo. How do you now view that project, which served as a launchpad for many of today’s most popular ac- tors? “For me now, from this dis- tance, Montevideo is like the most beautiful boyhood dream. “Holly- wood for beginners”, as I called it back then. I love that younger me. And when I look back at Montevi- „Montevideo“ je za mene sada kao neki najlepši dečački san. Kao Holivud za Montevideo is like the most beautiful boyhood dream. Like Hollywood for beginners početnike For me now,
Interview » Intervju | 29
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