Vanessa McMahon

Goran Kostic

Accomplished and prolific actor/producer Goran Kostic was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia. His starring role in Angelina Jolie's directorial debut 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' (2011) catapulted him to international recognition. Having appeared in next to sixty film and TV performances, he has worked on such prominent titles as 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Hannibal Rising' (2007), 'Taken' (2008), 'The Last Days on Mars' (2013), 'The Zookeeper's Wife' (2017) and 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' (2018), he has only just begun. His latest film 'Little Joe' (2019), in which he plays the character Mr. Simic, premiered in competition at the 72^nd Cannes Film Festival. 

I interviewed him shortly after the festival. Here is what he had to say:

When did you know your destiny was to be an actor?

GORAN: I knew when I met Seven Keating, my tutor and mentor at CNWL (College of North West London). He showed me how to enjoy reading drama and how to help make theatre alive. For a young wannabe thespian, stage can be a dangerous and a lonely place. He made me forget all that, to let go of my fears and help enjoy the process. 

What kinds of roles move you most and do you seek?

GORAN: I like pure drama and characters, which exist within that world of perceived realism.    

Can you name some of the roles you are most proud to have worked on?

GORAN: Antilov in 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' for Marvel Studios because I was finally able to watch a film that I worked on with my kids.  

You had your big break in 'The Land of Blood and Honey'. How did that impact your career?

GORAN: It opened many doors, but equally it closed some others. I had to go back, as if, to manually open some of the things that were beginning to be taken away from me.  

This year you attended Cannes for the movie 'Little Joe'. How was the experience of working on that film then seeing it premiere in competition in Cannes?

GORAN: Jessica Housner is a very specific director. She knows what she’s after and will not stop until it happens. Because of this, everyone on set is extra focused on what is being done. When all stage elements fit in, it's like symphony of joint purpose. Watching it from the side, it might look easy to get there, but it’s not; it requires dedication. I loved working with Jessica, and I hope our paths cross again.  

Is Cannes important for actors to attend? 

GORAN: In my mind and from my experience as an actor, it is important only if they have a film in the festival. Further, if they are officially part of the event and have goods to show and promote by their presence there or something to speak about in real time and with real relevance to the festival.  

What would you say to a young person today if they told you they wanted to go into acting full time? 

GORAN: Don’t do it. But if you must, then have plan B, C and D, and be prepared to bleed and take the pain over and over again while still at plan A. Ask yourself every year, as you prepare your tax returns for the previous, if it was it worth it and if you are prepared to continue. There must be something wrong with you if you want to do this to yourself. And it only gets worse.  

Interview by Vanessa McMahon