__Novosti

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

When at the end of December last year, he got the news from Meri Selvej, that he was invited to audition for the fourth showing of Harry Potter, Predrag Bjelac (42) watched the three previous hit movies again and for the first time he read the book of Joanne Rowling. In February he had a two hour talk with the director Mike Newell about the role (which would be his) of Igor Karkaroff.

-- Simply, I had luck that Mrs. Meri Selvej (who in the meantime passed away) remembered me from 1999 when I was part of the series "Warriors" from the BBC -- talking for Novosti (News) is Bjelac, who travelled to his home town for a three day hiatus from filming the movie. -- I couldn't even believe it when I got the part and I didn't even want to speak to anyone for months.

Which character are you playing in the fourth movie of this great series?

-- The character is called Igor Karkaroff and is a professor of a wizarding school. He is one of the opponents of the main character, because he has his skill for whom he toils to get a win against the great Harry Potter. The role is really interesting and inspiring just like the whole story of Harry Potter and his experiences.

How does it look to film such a big project?

-- Huge. I am aware what it means to be in such a story, for an actor, it happens once in a lifetime. The filming of the movie started in July and will go until March of next year. As far as my role goes, I already spent five weeks on the set and there are still twelve weeks of filming to go.

Except for the child stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, in the fourth film are there truly important stars?

-- Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Miranda Richardson...Truly the top calibre of world actors are involved in this project, and it is amazing to have that kind of talent as partners. Filming is a little slow, because we film five days a week due to the child labour laws, of which everyone is aware.

How was it in London?

-- From 1992, I've lived in Prague. I graduated from the Academy in Belgrade in 1986, and before I moved I was in a few movies. In Prague I have a small business and my career never was a burden. I did a series for the BBC, Charles II, but at home I worked very little. When you don't live here, people don't think of you. Nevertheless, last year my friend Zoran Cvijanovic thought of me, so I played a role in "Kengur". At the moment, I'm involved in working with the famous Harry Potter, and for the last while I've had my own agent, so that maybe I'll take my career a little more seriously.

:: Original article, B. Nikovic. Translation provided by Drajen.