Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Women in Film: Milena Dravić

By Olivia Maria Hărşan

Other Eastern European film enthusiasts may recognise the Serbian actress, Milena Dravić from Dušan Makavejev's Man is Not a Bird/ Čovek nije tica (1965) or more famously W.R.: Mysteries of the Organism/ W.R. - Misterije organizma (1971). Discovered at the age of 4 by Czech filmmaker František Čáp, Milena went on to appear in a couple of films throughout her adolescence which eventuated in her decision to study the craft at Belgrade's Dramatic Arts Academy. She is considered the first lady of Yugoslav cinema, having received significant recognition for her role in Branko Bauer's SuperfluousPrekobrojna (1962). In 1980, Milena won the Best Supporting Actress award at Cannes for her appearance in Goran Paskaljević's film Special Treatment/ Poseban tretman. These days she has taken a break from acting - her last film was in St. George Slays the Dragon/ Sveti Georgije ubiva aždahu (2009) - and continues to live with her husband of over 40 years and fellow actor, Dragoslav "Dragan" Nikolić.