__Dijaspora

A Serb who will play a role in the continuation of Harry Potter

Belgrade actor Predrag Bjelac (42) will be in the fourth film of Harry Potter. The film under the title "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is filming in London and the premiere will happen at the end of 2005. Predrag is playing the role of evil professor Igor Karkaroff.
Bjelac has already lived and worked in Prague for 12 years, but these days he "jumped" to the working city so he could see his mother and friends. So a chance to know a little more about our countryman, who slowly but surely is building his worldly career. He greeted us with a smile and said:
- It is difficult to get the "News" in a foreign country. Even in the early hours I cannot buy one of your papers, which I would like to read!
At first glance it is evident that the actor is not even a little pretentious and he answered all questions succinctly and clearly. He says he respects other peoples' time.

The careful spouse

- My wife Katarina is from Belgrade. She opened a boutique in Prague and is happy with her work. She often picks out clothes for me. I listen to her and therefore don't make mistakes. We spend all of our free time together, and even during my filming time. Now, we live together in London - says Predrag.

- I am glad to play a villain in Harry Potter. That is a great challenge for every actor. I got the chance thanks to the role I played in "Warriors", which is the biggest project in the history of the BBC. In this project Branka Katic and I played roles in the difficult story about the war in Bosnia. After "Warriors" our careers turned in different paths.
It never entered his mind to move to America, even if he lived a year in New York.
- At first glance, I fell in love with Prague, which is in the heart of Europe. We had our best opportunities for work and life. However, I am still a citizen of Serbia and Montenegro. Every available moment I spend in the town of my birth. During filming I try to explain to my colleagues where my country is.

Without linguistic barriers

The Yugoslav public had a chance to see Predrag in Yugoslavian productions "Kad porastem bicu Kengur", "Kako je propao rokenrol", "Cudna noc", the TV series "Vuk Kardzic"...However, he says foreign languages have never been a barrier to his work, so he filmed many dramas in Czech productions and English productions also.
I am still a citizen of Serbia and Montenegro! During the filming of the new movie, I try to explain my ethnicity to my colleagues. I have always been and will continue to be a Yugoslavian actor from Belgrade - says Bjelac.

I'll always be a Yugoslavian actor - says the artist, but things have not always been "rosy". For six years he never landed an acting job! Still, he started a new life. He claims to be humble and happy, but he misses the night life of Belgrade and his friends.
- Filming the movie about a boy with magical powers will occupy my time until next January. I really regret that I will not be in Belgrade for Christmas, but that's the type of job I have - says the actor, who is happy for a three month vacation. I would like to use my vacation in the best way. His unfulfilled dream is to buy a small yacht and sail around the world with his wife.

:: Original article, D. Dostanic. Translation provided by Drajen.