Serbian Brigitte Bardot

Serbian Brigitte Bardot

 The Loop (Petlja) crew is my favourite younger generation Serbian actress Ljuma Penov. Beside very successful theatre career Ljuma is one of the rare who manages theatre and film career together.  Ljuma Penov became more known to a wider audience outside of Serbia by her part in a small black comedy film Black Zorica/Crna Zorica from 2012, film that went off really well in UK and USA, but managed to stay outside of the present Serbian critic authority praise due to a shell content of the film. This part brought Ljuma Penov to a list of IBM Actresses on the Screen San José Sinequest list. And to keep her good – reputation- special outside of a usual Serbian film pattern of glory and fame I am bringing her up now to be my special mention. So here is she, Serbian Brigitte Bardot, Ljuma Penov!

1.       The relatively short time has passed since the unexpected success abroad of film Crna Zorica/Black Zorica (directed by Hristina Hatziharalabous and Radoslav Pavković) what do you expect from this film, what is the Loop/Petlja. The film is dedicated to the famous Yugoslavian photographer Ljubomir Šimunić and his opus on erotic photography that he became famous by in the past.

 The film is completely different, visually, aesthetically, artistically, from the movie Black Zorica, it goes in completely different directions. What I was very glad about is that I can play in a variety of roles, directions and genres of film, diametrically opposite roles and films.

Film The Loop/Petlja by Serbian film director Milutin Petrović honors Ljubomir Šimunić, beside him in the film there is also Marina Marković another name, which gives a special tone and the multilayered to a film. The film is a thriller with a lot of different sub-layers. This film awakens the imagination, mind, first, the one who is open to the arts in general, and it seems to me to be such, however, the smaller the number, the greater the number of those who only think they are, or were, unfortunately, completely unconscious and not know what is art, either, let alone other things. Some have probably heard only the word exists, which is regrettable, but so is the value system for a long, in the value system of people, society. I think you should do a poll, it would be very interesting. Here, and in all the arts, openness in the matter, permeation, and this is true of all art alike.

As far as expectations, do not expect anything, as with any role, I'm happy just to have been part of that, although I was so self-critical, almost to exhaustion. Is it good or bad, I do not know. For me it's probably better that way, especially in a movie where everything goes fast and there is no time for so many probes as in the theater, but there is still a feeling, and nothing fundamentally, not different in the paper, because here I am preparing for months earlier, only used different means.

Beside me, the film has Ivan Zaric, Tanja Venčelovski, Amra Latifić, Daniel Smith, and Sasa Radojevic, except that such co-writer of the film, appears in the role. All this gives the film a special note in the aesthetic and artistic, above all, artistic, sense.

 2. In addition to the successful role, do you feel that this is the most memorable film role, especially if you are in the focus as a female erotic object. Šimunić nonetheless dealt with erotic aesthetics in his photographs and as far as Milutin Petrović, he managed to convey his erotic aesthetic to the big screen?

 The film honors Ljubomir Šimunić, and in some ways, it's a film about him personally. The Loop/Petlja is very multifaceted film, including the title suggested by. This is how Milutin Petrović managed to convey Šimunić’s erotic aesthetics, ie, without a transfer, but only to adapt themselves and then transferred to us, and the audience; everyone will be able to see who might come to look at the film, and will be surprised whatever expect and whatever prejudices, perhaps, had. As for me, eroticism in this film is pure and beautiful, she is on the side of beauty, art and artwork.

 3. What is your role in the loop?

 The role of the Marina is completely different from the others, just as I get different roles, but it is different even in its very draft, and outlines, through the film. I've worked on it as an actress, because I can not help but to specifically and faithfully prepare for each role, a long time, with myself that something came out of it, I do that strange in my personality, and while I'm not entirely psychologically and physically, morally, aesthetically in that role, I am completely united with her, I do not move: and there is of course still in preparation and director, as well as on the set, of course, and together we bridge this time.

 4. Here you worked with Saša Radojević, the screenplay writer, film director and actor in the Loop, which is the next role?

 Saša Radojević I concurrence of circumstances precious working on the film Country where he co-writer, The Loop  besides the fact that I worked with him as co-screenwriter, I worked as an actor, which I was pleased and very interesting. As for some of the following enterprise we plan some new stories later, when the time is right.

5. Who recommended this film? Milutin was on display of FEST, the International Film Festival in Belgrade with his film Jug Jugoistok /South South-East from 2005?

 I think everyone should view each film, and this especially. The society needs a little more culture and art, to invest so much more in culture, but unfortunately, because of everything else, the value system of the society is drastically decreased.

 6. How it is significant for you as an actress that with the role in the film Black Zorica/Crna Zorica get on the list for most IBM Actress on the Screen of San Jose Sinequest?

 Me, as an actress, it certainly does, because the criticism is really nice received and noticed my role in the world, it's always nice when someone recognizes something good in you. But how important is the list, I do not know if people here do know about it. Some people here pay attention to such things, and neglect any other things that are not merely easy and fun and which do not concern some trivia. Here are worried about gossip, take care of completely irrelevant and superficial things, instead to little broader the  view, in connection with anything, to keep eyes wide open, not just standing but developing.

 7. For the second time you cooperate with the Italians in the film, tell us something about this collaboration whether they be new role in the Italian film? It is the dream of many of  Serbian actresses?

 Twice I've worked with Italian productions and working with them is completely different than working with Serbian productions. For me it was really very creative, hard and expensive, as far as the very actors and directors concern I do not know the dreams of other actors, I know what my dream is and where it is, it will remain known only to me.