Miroslav Terzić and Branislav Trifunović’s masterclass at Kinenova: Tell stories and never, at any cost, give up on your ideas

A masterclass at Kinenova

As part of the programme of the 11th Kinenova International Film Festival, director Miroslav Terzić and producer and actor Branislav Trifunović held a masterclass today at Europa Prima International University.

Their film “Three Weeks Later” was screened last night at the festival’s opening ceremony, where director Terzić officially declared the festival open.

“It is wonderful when your film opens a very important festival. Whenever I come to Macedonia, I always feel welcome, especially in Skopje. I was here about ten years ago, and I can say that the city has changed quite a lot.”

Tell stories. Follow your ideas.

At today’s masterclass, Trifunović said he had no secrets to reveal to the students.

“There is only passion. I have been lucky in life to discover and do what I love, and that is a great blessing. I am not trying to teach you anything; I will simply try to share some of my experiences. If you manage to ‘steal’ something from them, I will be more than happy. I would tell them to tell stories and never, at any cost, give up on their ideas. Perhaps the most accurate way to put it is that when something itches, you scratch it — that is precisely what I would tell the students. When you know something is driving you, something is smouldering inside you, try to follow it,” said Terzić.

From acting to producing

Branislav Trifunović, an actor and producer, travelled to Skopje for the film’s premiere and held a masterclass.

“We worked on this film for ten years, from the first idea all the way to its premiere at the Karlovy Vary festival. Now we feel a sense of relief, because we know what we have made and what we can share with audiences. I am happy that the Kinenova audience saw the film after Karlovy Vary, and I will answer any questions you ask me,” Trifunović told the students, highlighting the experience of an actor venturing into producing.

“To understand what producing means, I would encourage you to make at least one short film of three minutes and try to understand it somehow — so that, unlike me, you do not think producers are just some people who take money and do not pay the actors. You have to try to understand it,” said Trifunović.