[wzslider]
(Photograph: Amela Šabić)
“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human.”, said the Irish writer Oscar Wilde more than a century ago and since it is the greatest of all art forms, its creators, not just writers, but those in whose hands lies the fate of writers’ success, those who bring the words to life – actors, are indeed the greatest artists of all, and ”Sarajevo Times” had the opportunity to talk to one of such artists, young and promising actress, Staša Dukić, who recently had her graduate play ”The Decorator” which was an immense success.
She was born 23 autumns ago in October in the lovely town of Travnik, green in the spring and golden in the autumn, and that’s when the story starts, the story about becoming an actress, the story of success. This young actress of the Sarajevo Academy of Performing Arts played in two films and in several plays, most notably ”Časna Grešnica” (Venerable Sinner) and ”The Decorator”. In her interview to ‘‘Sarajevo Times’’, Staša talked about her earliest ventures in the world of theatre, her plans; her family and her meeting one of the most famous world actress Angelina Jolie.
By: Damir Jusić
When did you decide to become an actress and what are your earliest acting engagements before the Academy?
I never really thought that I would be an actress; it was more my dream when I was younger, even in elementary school. For me it was scary to even think about that because that was the most exciting and thrilling dream, and what if it wasn’t my destiny; so I wanted to be every year something new, from a lawyer to a biologist or a singer (of course I’m not a good singer). I started going to acting workshops at the theatre in Travnik, when I was ten and stayed there until the Academy. So you see it was always a big part of my life. The first play I did was ‘Cinderella’, after that we did plays, went to theatre festivals, workshops, etc. Somewhere along the way I knew that acting is the only thing I could do because without it I, I don’t know, I’d be lost.
It’s a well known fact that it is very hard to pass the entrance exam at the Academy of Performing Arts, how did you feel when you passed and did you have back up plan in case you fail?
Mind blowing, the best and the scariest moment in my life. I was really convinced that I wouldn’t be accepted, we waited for the results for few hours but for me it felt like days, and there were eleven completely different people waiting for the dream. It was indescribable experience. The funny part was that my back up plan was to study English, but the entrance exam was at the same day and at same time like the entrance exam at the Academy. I risked and it was a full house.
What is the difference between playing in a film and playing in theatre? Which one do you prefer and what were your favourite projects so far?
Theatre is a live process, and the film is editing. What I mean is that in theatre when you enter the stage you start to live the life of a character and you cannot make a mistake and stop and say can we do it again. I live for theatre and love film. Every process of making either the play or the movie is a new experience and it has its good and bad sides.
Is acting job a profitable profession, can you make a living out of it?
In the time we live in, and the situation with the country, no profession is profitable, but if you do what you love you will survive.
How did your family react on you becoming an actress?
They knew that that was me, so my mom just said do what you love, there will be time when you would do what you need. They are my strength, they taught me life, and for that I’ll always be grateful. They are my toughest and the most beautiful audience.
Play ”Časna Grešnica” (Venerable Sinner) which was directed by Šemsudin Gegić, was a tremendous success in Travnik, your home town. Are you planning to go to any other town in BiH and perform your graduate play ”Soboslikar” (The Decorator)?
Yes, we are coming to Travnik with the play this month. I don’t know the date yet but you will be informed.
Do you have any future plans with both film and theatre and where do you see your career in ten years? With whom would you like to work and cooperate?
I live day by day, and don’t really make long term plans, because in this job you really don’t know what will happen. I know that I want to do my master somewhere else.
Last year at the Sarajevo Film Festival, at the premiere of film ‘In the Land of Blood and Honey’ you had the opportunity to meet Angelina Jolie. How was that experience?
Unbelievable. For me that was like dreaming with eyes wide open. I still find it unreal.
