Introduce yourself however you like. How long have you been teaching at the Academy, and what have you gone through with the students and within yourself?
Lazar Panev, actor. I’ve been teaching for nearly 4 years, perhaps; I’m not certain. I began this challenge with considerable apprehension because I wasn’t sure I could call myself a teacher. Along the way, working side by side with the other teachers and my mentors in this endeavour, I realised that being a teacher is like being a parent: there is no right time, and you are never ready! I am endlessly grateful to the people who have been and continue to be beside me, and those who gave me an opportunity and believed in me! First, I try to cultivate taste and dedication in my students. To have them devote their lives to observing details in the world around them. To try to be more emotional and not feel embarrassed about it. With digitalisation and advancing technology, people increasingly suppress their emotions. We are seeing more and more of the so-called diagnosis of burnout. The self burns out, and people increasingly strive towards the same model. We lose our identity, and to me that is death while still alive. That is what I work towards with my students: preserving and further developing their identity. Bringing it into view. Making it their strongest weapon. I strive for exactly the same thing for myself.
More about Lazar HERE
Introduce your character in Story-ta. Do you like him, and how close is he to you?
My character in "Story-ta" is quite close to me, and as an actor I have tried to bring him even closer. We share quite a few personality traits, which made preparation much easier. We will soon find out whether audiences find him interesting.
Whether I like the character is a complicated question. To be or not to be? Do you like yourself or not? Liking yourself excessively is a symptom of narcissism; not liking yourself is a problem of low self-esteem caused by trauma. For me, the truth lies in balance. I like his trait, or rather his quality, of being an observer. I am a great observer in life and like being one. Analysing, noticing detail. I will repeat that the character is quite close to me and preparation was not particularly complicated. Conversations with the film’s director, Natalia Dukova, were quite enough, because after 4 years of working together we understand each other, as they say, with half a word. It is very pleasant to have such a person as a director and colleague. Even better when you also have a wonderful friendship. Friendship is a very important part of my work.
You were involved in the birth of the idea for the film. How did it happen? Did the realisation match your expectations?
The idea for the film came from a so-called guided improvisation we did with one of the Sofia groups. We wanted to create a play especially for them, imagining something in the style of Stephen King, particularly his novel "The Institute". It began very playfully, but interesting things emerged and imagination did the rest. Natalia managed to write it in less than 48 hours. It started as a play, but then the possibility of a screen adaptation appeared. Bringing it to life was a very interesting process, in which I participated as both an actor and second assistant director. I had never held that position before, and it was challenging, very constructive and interesting for me.
What mattered in the process? Was it an advantage or a disadvantage that the actors were your students?
The fact that the actors were our students was definitely an advantage. The easy communication and trust already established on both sides helped a lot. We achieved something very important to me: to love the product, you have to love the process. That matters immensely to me. Art is made with love. We put a lot into this product. Now viewers will judge how we did.
What will you remember from the filming period?
There are many moments I’ll remember. It was intense and fun, and there was tension at times. The most memorable person on the team for me will certainly remain little Gabi, only 6 years old, who amazed us with her energy, dedication and sincere, innocent reactions that so often brought broad smiles and laughter. And her imaginary mobile phone, which she never lost sight of and carried everywhere. She took photos with it, talked on it, even switched off its sound. That is the kind of acting transformation and boundless imagination I mean. When you see that in a 6-year-old child, you feel wonderful and find meaning in what you do!
What message do you want your participation to convey? Who is Story-ta for?
The message in "Story-ta" is different for everyone and yet very universal. My character has a line that, for me, expresses it exactly: "To look at ourselves from the outside, to lose everything we dislike, to place ourselves in an isolated environment where we can think." To me this matters for everyone: being able to reflect and appreciate what we have before we lose it. To love truly, even in a childlike way. That makes the film suitable for everyone, without restrictions!