Emrah Halilović, a twenty-year-old from Busovača, has embarked on a promising professional acting career.
While studying at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Tuzla, he starred in Amanet—the most-watched Bosnian film of 2022. The film captivated audiences and earned three awards at the 2023 South East European Film Festival, which was held in Paris, Berlin, and Washington. Emrah’s acting career continues with a new movie, Testament, the filming of which is currently underway.
Emrah explained that acting requires considerable time, dedication, and sacrifice. However, with good planning, anything can be achieved. “The thing I miss out on the most because of all my obligations is the time I wish I could spend with my family and on myself. But I believe it will all be worth it in the end,” he reflected.
There’s no success without hard work, which is something that Emrah hears daily at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Tuzla. He tries to let this motto guide him, believing it’s essential to find joy in the process itself, while the outcome is merely a natural reward for the effort and skill invested along the way.
The film Amanet, directed by Mirza Begović, is both a comedy about love, friendship, and the shackles of tradition, as well as a drama that takes viewers on a rollercoaster of emotions and touches many. It appeals to both younger and older audiences, taking them back to a time of cherished values that are disappearing in modern society.
Amanet has been shown in more than 80 locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and diaspora communities. At the South East European Film Festival, it received the award for Best Feature Film, while its writer Mirza Begović, was awarded Best Screenplay, and Iva Filipović, a star in the film, was awarded Best Actress. It was also selected for the non-competitive portion of the feature film screening at the 9th Balkan Panorama Film Festival in Izmir, as well as for the Bosnian film segment at the Sarajevo Film Festival.
A Story About a ‘Ordinary’ Man
Following this production success, the filming of Testament, also directed by Mirza Begović, began in April of this year. Emrah describes this new film as full of positive energy and good vibes, carried over from the set of Amanet.
“We all came here with the same goal: to do something big together and have an impact. Every scene and every person working on this film is up to the task and does everything flawlessly,” said Emrah.
He expressed gratitude for the many people behind the camera working to ensure that everything goes smoothly, and for all of those who help the actors through the creative processes that influence character development. He believes that audiences will identify with most of the characters because “this is a film that tells the story of an ‘ordinary’ man.” The filming of Testament is expected to wrap up by the end of this year.
Despite the fact that Emrah is just 20 years old and has already achieved remarkable success, he is still critical and believes he can do more. However, he adds that he can’t exactly say he’s dissatisfied, as this is only the beginning of his career and he thinks it’s off to a good start.
He explained that in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there generally are not many opportunities for actors and artists, so everyone has to try to create their own opportunities. “That’s what led to the first film, and this one as well. They were created as a response to everything that hinders film culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and this proves that when money isn’t the primary motivation, beautiful stories like this one are created,” Emrah emphasized.
Dedication and Perseverance
For young people who aspire to be future actors or actresses but don’t know where to start, Emrah says it’s hard to offer universal advice—and it takes courage to even try to guide someone on that path. Sharing his experience, he believes that everyone can achieve success:
“The key is perseverance and dedication. You shouldn’t pay attention to the negative things you will hear about this profession. They mostly come from people who have no contact points with the job. This career, with its advantages and disadvantages, is really wonderful, and whoever truly sees themself in it should push to the limit. Talent is only a small part of the job. Everything else is achieved with perseverance and effort.”
Emrah began acting through non-governmental organizations promoting culture, and he recommends Studio Theater Zenica, Amphitheatre Busovača, and similar organizations as great starting points. He also believes that taking the first steps at one of the art academies in the country is the right way to begin.
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This text was published with the financial support of the Embassy of Austria in BiH. The content is the sole responsibility of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Embassy of Austria in BiH, Post-Conflict Research Center or Balkan Diskurs.
