The Varaždin team arrived in Karlovac with the film Trust, in which Zora, the main female role, is played by young actress Hana Kunić, who answered several questions for the readers of Bottle Daily about her collaboration with the film’s director and the creation of her character.

Is this your first collaboration with Matija Benić?

We’ve already worked together on his first feature film, although he likes to call Trust his first real feature film.

What is Matija’s preparation process with the actors like?

There is a lot of talk about the characters, internal psychology is being worked out, which I think is very important, because you need to know who the character is and get to know them before you start the acting process. For example, we once sat down for coffee and talked about Zora, and I drank coffee with honey. Matija noticed that and said: “This is great, I think Zora also drinks coffee with honey.” He notices such details and connects them with the character, so we actually created Zora based on those little things. I love that we talked so much about the characters, because then everything went very fast on the set. Matija leads the set very nicely, there was a lot of improvisation and playfulness, I really have no complaints.

What do you find interesting about Zora?

Zora is quite close to me, Filip and Matija actually wrote that character with me in mind. We have many similarities, but I’m not as big of an activist as she is, so it was interesting to explore that aspect of her character. It was great that she wears almost no makeup, her clothes are also pretty casual, so the emphasis was entirely on acting. I am very glad about that, because that is why actors get into this profession, to explore roles, relationships, situations and stories.

How did you manage to make a film without a budget?

I think that’s something that’s either in you or not. Our whole team is made of people who really want to be in this business, we don’t care just about money or fame. This was simply something that had to happen; those who want to do something always find a way.

What are you working on next?

I’m working on new plays, I’m leading a drama group at the Croatian National Theatre in Varaždin, where I also act, so I’m working more in theater, but I’d like to make a film again.