are the words by Dimiter Marinov the first Bulgarian actor to step on the stage of the Dolby Theater for the Oscar Awards

Dimiter Marinov is a Bulgarian actor who has been living in the United States for the last 29 years. Born in Sofia, he was adopted and raised by his mother's aunt, a widow to a former prosperous member of tobacco growers and curriers - the Marinov family. Dimiter started playing violin at the age of 4, and at the age of 11, he was the first violin in the "Pioneer" youth Philharmonic with which he toured around the world. In 1982, he got accepted at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts but had to serve in the army first, before enrolling. Due to troublesome anticommunist calamities during his service and increasing threats from the high-ranking officers, the audacious Dimiter tried to escape to the West. He got caught at the border and served a sentence of two years and six months as a political prisoner. Thus, after the release from prison, his student rights were terminated and  finding even a simple job was doomed. Dimiter tried to apply for the Academy again but because of his past, at the final examination round, he was denied acceptance regardless of being one of the top three on the entry list. The artistic director of Vidin Theater, who happen to watch Dimiter in the final exam, offered him a job as an intern-actor at his theater. Under the director’s care with true recognition of Dimiter’s talent, within three years after numerous leading roles, the Actor’s Union granted Dimiter a professional actors’ status under Article 9of the decree without graduating the Academy. Nevertheless, that year, Dimiter applied again for the Academy and this time was accepted. He graduated in the class of Prof. Krikor Azaryan. Soon after, Dimiter was cast as an actor-singer in a Bulgarian jazz-folk formation "Magic Voices" and toured Europe, Canada and the United States. After the last performance in Knoxville, Tennessee, Dimiter defected as a political refugee to the US. His exciting and dramatic personal life led him through various hardships and fluctuations. Yet, Dimiter’s commitment and true fate land him on the red carpet in Hollywood. He is married to an American woman and they have two sons together.

Dimiter Marinov is the first Bulgarian actor to setfoot on the Dolby Theater stage for the Oscar Awards ceremony. He is part of the principle cast in Peter Farrelly's "Green Book", supervised by Steven Spielberg, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019 and was nominated in five more categories.

- Mr. Marinov, congratulations on the success of the "Green Book". How does it feel being the first Bulgarian to step on the Dolby Theater stage, holding the greatest honors in cinema - the golden Oscar statuette?

- Thank you for the greeting. The feeling is rather inexplicable. And it's not as much of a feeling as it is a sense of fulfillment of recognition. You’ve managed to achieve something that you have been dreaming of, something that you have wanted and have struggled for... and at some point you see it in front of you; in your hand. Done. But let's be honest. Achieving such an award is impressive, no doubt; it is a success but ultimately, life is full of awards, every day. Small chores for a good cause and generous gestures are rewarding for me. I personally look at life that way. For me, the Oscar is a symbol of a job-well-done and nothing more. I never thought about the Oscars and awards in general. I just do my job to the best I can at the moment, and then striving to do it better and better every time that follows. But honestly, the feeling of holding an Oscar is as if you were on a roller coaster and you are coming down from the highest point in full speed. You are submerged in an exciting dizziness without even a feel of a heart beat. In that surrealistic moment with an outburst of true satisfaction, you have one thought only: "God, I’ve made it!".

- You, very discreetly, had placed a small Bulgarian flag inside your jacket’s top-pocket while on stage. A symbol of what was this kind gesture?

- The gesture came out spontaneously but not the idea. The idea was based on my gratitude but not only on the fact that I accomplished the unthinkable in my carrier, but also towards all Bulgarian people. I grew up in Bulgaria, I was educated in Bulgaria and much of that led me to this stage. Moreover, my Bulgarian colleagues and even those friends who are not even related to this industry have left something in me; memories of deeds they’ve done that made me the person and the actor that I am today. I took this flag with me just to feel that everyone I know in Bulgaria, even those I don’t know, is part of this recognition. Though, the initial idea was for the flag to stay in my inside pocket, and not to be taken out; just to be close to my heart. But when I got on stage and looked at the audience; from the "pedestal of the film world", I noticed few rather large waving Mexican flags in the audience and people shouting: "Viva la Mexico!". Those Mexicans were so proud of what had happened only few minutes ago – the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film by Cuaron, and still celebrating. At this moment, my pride with courage spoke. I pulled the little Bulgarian flag out and placed it in my outer pocket, to prove to the world that we, the small-big Bulgaria are also here, winners on stage. It was not a nationalistic gesture, but a gesture of patriotism and gratefulness to all the people of Bulgaria who secretly hope that one day will win their Oscar for the accomplishments in their own professions.

- The role you play in the movie is of the famous Russian cellist Yuri Taht, who during Khrushchev’s time escaped to the US. To a great extent, the character's image overlaps with your own. You are both classical musicians, graduates of the Soviet music school, have Jewish ancestry, and last but not least, a remarkable visual resemblance. Did that helped you get into the role?

- To a great extent no. It helped somewhat for getting the feeling of closeness, but nothing more. At the first casting I presented my actor’s choice for the character and as a result they "cast me out". The casting director told my Manager that was impressed with my presentation, but they were looking for a different type. In fact, the production did not have the correct information at that time who actually Yuri Taht was; how he looked like and much more. Someone didn’t do their "homework". I did. Over a month later, the "mistake" was corrected, and they invited me to a second casting. When I shared my research and knowledge of Taht, Peter Farrelly laughed and out loud joked at Nick Vallelonga and Brian Curry, the other two writers/producers: "He knows about the character more than us and we wrote the script!" Yes, the visual resemblance somewhat helped, but regardless that the film is based on a true story, it is partially a fiction as well. The significance of the physical resemblance was not that important. The importance was in the responsibilities and the mission of the character in the given story.

My task was to be as close as possible to the real person, to what he had done and had to do, although in the authentic audio recordings shared by Tony Lip and Don Shirley, Yuri Taht is not mentioned much. The fiction element of the film puts him in a position that he is probably the one who must keep a "close eye" on Tony Lip at all times, so he won’t mess things up. The challenge for me as an actor was to preserve, from the first to the last moment in the film, the calmness and wisdom of my character Oleg, as named in the film. He is sworn in Don Shirley's mission and must stay the course. In order to remain true and original to the character, my actor’s choice was not to act, not to try to recreate, but to be real with firm discipline. To a great extent, that is who I am as a person, which was developed during my training at the "Pioneer" youth Philharmonic, as a classical musician; devotion, seriousness and discipline that helped me avoid being sidetracked. Many of my friends outside of the Philharmonic, however, do not know me in this way. I am usually the clown, the crazy guy who has nothing to do with the character of Oleg. Yet, being a classical musician is what helped me the most to define and present this character.

- Although the narrative is taking place almost 70 years back, the "Green Book" is extremely relevant in today's reality with regard to discrimination, racism and xenophobia, which are increasingly spreading in the globalizing world. What is the role of art, in particular of theater and cinema, in the exchange of values, traditions, beliefs and can it help to improve mutual understanding between people?

- This is a question with many answers. To put it frankly, the meaning of cinema and theater from the very moment of their birth is to illuminate, to inform, to entertain and to educate, and to also show what people cannot see and are not familiar with in their daily lives, with which they have no contact. Cinema and theater show life as it is, but without the boring parts in it. If there is no dramatic moment in the piece of work, then this piece of work becomes dull. The task of cinema and theater is to stimulate imagination, feelings and emotions, but they must also have a position. I have always thought - if there is nothing you can say, do not go on stage. At the same time, cinema and theater, which are the strongest means of propaganda, are used with both good and bad intentions. The truth is that they do awaken, they bring a sense of attention. For, say, people who in their lives are dealing with the heavy industry or construction, or engineering, they do not know much about what is happening in, let’s say agriculture, the arts, in science. And that's what cinema and theater do to a great extent - they inform. But they can manipulate as well. At the same time, the idea is to unite these people in the name of the common good. All art works are created based on and related through love, all serve the desire for the greater good, creating some immunity against evil, inspiring the human consciousness and relationships. Thus, as it is said in Latin: "I am human, and nothing human is alien to me", that is the point. Especially nowadays, when the world under different circumstances, be it economics, social or political means, has the tendency to divide. And values ​​like tradition, relationships, family, home, love, labor, development have begun to isolate into castes of some new dimensions. Instead of growing up together, they are fighting to be self-evident to show-off that one is better than the other. On the contrary, everything is good and is done for the sake of good, and that is precisely the role of art; to give you this meaning and to clear you from the negativism.

Now that we are talking about xenophobia, racism, discrimination, I think these are absolutely unworthy human qualities. Emancipation, ego, narcissism will always exist in one form or another. The problem is that currently they are so brutally expressed and in a new, hypocritical way. And now is the time when we need art at most to wake us up with a slap and tell us: "Come to your senses! What are you doing?".

Racism is an aggressive and even criminal form of human dissection, typical of primitive mind. Mankind cannot "recognize" and stigmatize by color and religion, but by abilities, ideals and values. The "black" sheep among the white ones is the "white" sheep among the black ones - what is the point? You were born where you were born, the way you were born, and the choice was not yours. But where you will be and where you want to be, what you want to become, depends solely on where you deserve and prove, to be worthy of being.

Speaking of unity among people, of gathering, for the so-called equality in the United States, does not mean equalized. The reality of "all are equal", we did experience during the communism. It is a wrong assumption. "Equality" means: everyone has an equal right and is given an opportunity for trying and have a chance in the field they wish to grow or trying to but is not entitled to. We cannot be equalized. This is the mistaken, unconceivable notion that triggers negativity, dissatisfaction and protest. You cannot compare a talented person with an absolutely untalented one; since talent is a given, not acquired – it is just not right. If talent is already given, which is God's work, creation of nature, then should be molded, improved and thrive. A person who wants to become an actor but has no given talent and does not realize that, he cannot claim his/hers "right" for "equality" along with a person who has the talent; a born with it. Of course, everyone has the freedom to try, but when it does not happen – don’t get angry and cry "equality" because you do have a given a talent but for a different profession. And believe me, after a while you will be happier that in fact, you did not become the actor, unfulfilled in failure. It has always been hard for me to hear when people in Bulgaria ask other people: "Can you become a minister of culture?" and they answer: "Why not?" What many young people cannot understand and somehow use it as an excuse is: "Well, I am a person and I have a right. Why does he get to have it, and not me?" The reality is, she or he is created with the chance to have it - it is given, and you are too but for something else that will be better for you.

Peoples’ relations should be based on mutual respect for each other’s talents and abilities through recognition and appreciation. Especially between races, must come from the comprehension of differences, from the integration of these absolute opposites into a conglomerate of noble common ideas and their realization into a better and more favorable future for all. Whether you are black, green, yellow, brown, it does not matter, we are all human, and this is not about talent, it is about humanity as such. And that is the power of the moral in the film "Green Book", a moral that we especially now, have an utmost need for. Two absolute opposites with different talents, much distant knowledge, from different races and social backgrounds, manage to find common grounds by listening to one another, but not only; hearing each other. That leads them to giving a chance, to connect and become friends. Thus, they find that common sense in which, despite the differences, they can do something together in the name of the greater good, in the name of growth. The xenophobia, racism and discrimination will most likely disappear only when we keep overcoming the differences, recognizing each other’s abilities, value each other’s talents, giving opportunity, reason with grace and firm moral principles, and always listen to one another. And when we see that a person needs a hand, a little help, we, in some way, through our means, knowledge and abilities to help. But no one should ever feel entitled and equal to a place or occupation they have no talent for. Even as a plumber, be proud to be the best plumber. And every single day when you go to work, you will work exactly towards that one moment when you will be recognized as the best plumber who helps, gives, and does exactly what he wants and what he is best for. Then all these values, ideals ​​and beliefs will make sense.

- You said you felt like Cinderella after that prize. What was your way from Sofia to Hollywood, for the fairy tale to come true and what was needed for it - talent, hard work, luck, faith?

- All of these things together. "Cinderella" is the symbolic metaphor. It is vital for a dream and the development of its faith to be discovered at the earliest age possible. Having children on my own, two sons at the age of six and thirteen, I knew from the beginning what was the most important for me to do and pay attention to. It was not to tell them what to do, not to force them to do the things that I want them to do, or the things that I ever wanted to do for myself but have not succeeded in. This is a major mistake that many parents make, although I do not judge them, these are their choices. My goal was to follow my children very carefully every day, to play with them and try to figure them out. I was a main part of their innocent childhood games ever since they took their first steps. I do pay attention to the little signals and signs they gave me regarding their interests and desires. My commitment was to notice much of those small elements that are most important, most needed and most fun to them.

And that is how it was with me. I had this freedom to a great extent, despite the heavy hand of my adopted mother, who was from the old generation – traditional and much conservative. She was for the strict upbringing, the order, the discipline, which was all very good, but it never took away my right to dream, to enthuse, to fantasize, and to apply it in practice, for which I was sometimes reprimanded. Since then, I built the faith that gave me the courage to recognize that things may and will happen along the way. I must do and deal with them though trying to avoid the punishment for it. My childhood was quite abnormal. I was often changing schools, because of my frequent travels around the world with the "Pioneer" Philharmonic. I changed ten schools within nine years period. It was hard; I was always the new student. And there were the family reasons. I was constantly moving in and out between my adopted mother and my birth mother’s homes. Now looking back, my life was really like a fairy tale that I wasn’t aware of until people started asking and talking about it. For me it was just my life, the way I lived it and as I wanted to live it.

Nonetheless, when you have faith and desire to succeed in achieving something, the question is not in having luck as much as to do the hard work and stay focused with devoted concentration. To distinguish the two: what you need from what you want. To be able to combine both so that neither is standing on the other’s way. The duties and the obligations that we have in our everyday life are one thing, but they must not interfere in any way with "the dream", and vice versa. It is imperative that you do not lose yourself when nothing makes sense except your dedicated idea, which in the end may even turn out to be wrong. You have to prove your desires, your dreams, step by step. It is like a serious equation in high calculus; solving one sum at the time. One has to prove the next and ultimately that final result will be reached. That would be the result of your faith. It would be the conformation that all your work, your journey has not only made sense, but your initial impulse from way back, was aimed in the right direction.

Of course, talent is a talent and it is "a gift", but I was able to discover it in time. Subsequently, initiated the validation of its existence and only then embark on finding the right people to help developing it. There are many people born with a talent but never had the opportunity to advance it in the right direction. I have friends who wanted to be actors, but Mom and Dad said: "Nonsense, actor, no, never, that's ambiguous! You will be miserable for life! Become a Doctor or an Engineer, or an Architect or a Scientist!". Well, this is a self-betrayal. Years will pass, and you’ll never be happy with what you're doing and have become. Yes, you will make money, drive an expensive car, live in a luxurious apartment, you will have a villa on the seacoast, but your heart and soul will be empty. And one day, when the little ones appear in your life, you have nothing to tell them but trying falsely to justify yourself. I am happy that I can tell my two young sons that I have always done what I wanted to do. Yes, the road was tough, I had to turn my back to friends and it was not in the best way sometimes. I followed my own way and even often accused of selfishness, egocentrism, but in the end everyone is responsible for their own life. Everyone chases their purpose, what they want and what they love. And believe me, when you succeed, you will understand that all these "abandoned" friends actually have always been on your side and were happy for you - they believed in you... well, most of them.

As for luck? I would say yes, to a great extent. But luck is not something that comes and tells you, "Hi, I'm here, catch me!". On the contrary, luck exists continuously all around you but if you cannot recognize it, it is because you are not ready to encounter it, not ready for it. And for you of course, it never comes, and does not exist. Of course, all this is subject to the great faith - faith in yourself; to have confidence, to know that you are created to do this and to confirm it. And one more thing – if you plant a tree, you have to try its fruit. But before the fruit, you must take care of the tree; you have to water it every day. The first fruit might be a bit sour. But next time you'll know what to do, to make it sweet so you could give it to others to try it, too. And that is how evolved my Cinderella story.

- In recent years there has been an upsurge in the production of Bulgarian films that take part in international film festivals and receive awards. You, yourself took part in Lachezar Avramov's debut film "A picture with Yuki", which was presented at the Sofia Film Festival in March. Are you optimistic about the future of Bulgarian cinema?

- I am definitely optimistic about the future of Bulgaria and of its arts. Especially the Bulgarian cinema is in a verge of awakening. There was a dreadful period - the 90s, and then a little shaky period, from the beginning of the 2000s to 2010; times of wandering, self-centered and instable individualism. Even the cinema made in Bulgaria for the Bulgarians was the one that was more focused on "telling" you what to do and how to do it instead of provoking you with guidance but still giving you the freedom to think and aim to do whatever and however you would like to do. Of course, our cinema has a unique tradition following the times when it was being created and produced under the Soviet cinema model. Despite following this socialist model, the Bulgarian artists always succeeded in "giving a wink" at the audience. For example, back then they were making comedies in which the audience would not only rejoice and laugh, but also "read between the lines" and draw its own conclusions. That was the case with the serious cinema as well. There was also the cinema of patriotism based on history fulfilled with spirit and national pride, but that cinema nowadays is almost gone – wonder why?

Indeed, Bulgarian cinema has recently rationalized itself. There is a unique group of young artists, who are in the verge rising, but they still do not have the chance to establish themselves and to a great extent, the main reason is due to the people from my generation. It pains me to share that my generation stifles innovation, stifles the good creative craziness; perhaps out of fear, out of complexes, or simply put: does not want to let go off the bone. But I want to say to my generation: the time has come to step aside and give the chance to these young people, who are much more informed than us and much braver and determent for their time. We were young once too, but obviously, we have forgotten it how in our youth the elder were forbidding and shaming us by pointing the finger of blame. Let's not repeat, let's give these young people the opportunity they deserve and longed for. And then, we could convey our knowledge, our experience and wisdom gathered through life and help them with. We should admit the mistakes and let them lead their lives without putting a rod in their wheels. And yet, the greatest problem still remains: the vicious criticism sprung from jealousy and hatred without reason.

A typical example is the new film by Kamen Donev - "Coziness"; an artist who has decided and did it in his very own way, all by himself. But the first thing he got after the official release was bile criticism, malice, negativity, jealousy. Why? Well, it’s fine if you did not like the film and to an extend I agree: it is not the greatest film, but at least we should acknowledge the work and say "Bravo!" to the courage and the endeavor. At least recognize the work, the passion and the faith of a man; an artist, with ambition to show what he thinks, what he sees and understands. It is not the question of whether the film was good or not, the point is that he had a dream and he did accomplish it. He tried to reach out to all others with his art. And why his hand should be bitten and condemned?  Can’t we humanly reach out too and say: "Hey, Kamen, I'm not as fond of your film as I would’ve liked to be but thank you for your courage and effort - good work!" In addition, we should also cheer his colleagues too: the actors, the technicians, the organizers, the administrators, everybody who worked on this film and who believed in something; instead of criticizing and even humiliating and discouraging them. What is the benefit of this? It is not even worthy let alone, humane. I think critical negativism is the problem of Bulgarian cinema today.

Art is not a demonstration but an expression of one's own faith and love. And what the creator wants to say to the other side, even if it is not accepted, must at least be met with collegiality and humane understanding, with encouragement. The viewer must have an open heart and a sense of perception. Even if he does not agree, he should at least listen. And this is the example of the "Green Book". Regardless of the contradictions, we need to listen to each other and to offer a hand. Thus, Bulgarian cinema will succeed. It is not worthy and fair to damage and deny the artists even before they have reached half-way of their work. Not to mention the financial, social problems, the stagnation that exists in Bulgaria and the difficulty to overcome it. There is a little to no money, shady venue and vague opportunities. The actual filming is beyond abnormal, productions are hanging onto an absolute minimal resources with maximum work in a daily basis .There is never enough time to do what needs to be done because it can never be paid for. And I do understand that. But if we open our hearts and minds in a positive direction and find a common language as partners with a single interest, things will gradually happen, it will work out. Patience and faith in one another are needed, instead of criticism, crushing and mischief. Then the Bulgarian cinema will have a future, the theater will have a future, Bulgaria will have a future.

- You are an inspiration and an example for the young people in Bulgaria who are searching for the way to their realization in the cinema and the theater. How would you encourage them to follow their dreams?

- Thank you very much for the compliment that I am an inspiration and an example. That was not my goal, but I accept, remembering how I once, as a young actor, craved for examples and inspiration. And they were given to me by many of our talented older colleagues. The way to realization is not a search, it is rather defined. The way must exist. When you have a dream and a faith, they pave the way on their own. Of course, it has many deviations, turns and spins. Even sometimes you have to detour from it, to cross to the other side and then go back to it. But then, when you get back on that road, there will be less problems.

The advice I would give to young people in Bulgaria is - once you discover yourself, do not cheat on yourself and be very patient. Because, in the end, if you realize you have a certain talent, you have to fully indulge in disciplined, purposeful work to develop this talent and turn it into a realistic endurance. The actor must stand firmly with his two feet on the ground, be even a pragmatist at times though at the same time be able to still fantasize. Thus, both things will be absolutely profitable and realistic. We all have great ideas, but they are great only if they are put into practice and accumulate a result. Then comes the recognition when everyone sees your idea as a material fact. And the only way to get this workable idea is to be able to fantasize realistically, and only that kind of fantasy you must turn into a systematically productive movement resulting in the real world. Must have the confidence that what you believe in will happen; if you are not convinced it will never happen. It is a necessity to have faith and persistently to keep working. Please do not rely on anyone else. Listen to others, share opinions, but they have to be filtered through your own understanding and creativity, within yourself. "This is what I want!" Do not try to make others like you. You have to be different and unique. An actor cannot be exceptional if he tries to be like everyone else, then he simply becomes a wonderful spectator. The actor is an individual - the queer, the abnormal that no one accepts and likes, but everyone goes to watch. Be yourselves! Once you find yourself, believe in yourself and be very patient, there is no way your dream to not come true. And the fear - it will always be there. It's your best friend! It is a measure of your responsibility, dedication, and faith. It is the personal critique during the creative process and it’s the fuel of your stamina that produces the action. Yet, "panic" is what you should never allow! The fear comes from the unknown, the panic is from doubt and distrust of one’s self. And the unknown is infinite, mystical, interesting. It is the adventure and challenge of the artist. The doubt and distrust are the forever struggle of diffidence and superstition, betrayal of faith. Love your fears in order to overcome them more easily and quickly and only then, you will never panic.

- After this great success with "Green Book", are there now more requests for you? Are there new professional challenges and what they may be?

- Usually yes. This, of course, is an industry. At that moment when this movie got the big noise around it, and especially after the awards, I have been noticed. Being already in the middle, so to speak, of my professional career, with this film many started to pay attention in a new way to who Dimiter Marinov is. Since I came back from Bulgaria, I have had several proposals. One was for a TV series that at this moment I'm waiting to start shooting. I just auditioned for a second show, which is for Showtime with a great role and a guarantee of three to five episodes but still not confirmed. And the most intimate I want to share is that a few days ago I hit the leading role in a short film, which is by request of the Academy. It is based on a true story; the life of a Polish baker, a Jew during the times of the Holocaust. The narrative unfolds in 1943 in Auschwitz, where he and his wife and two children were imprisoned. His wife dies of pneumonia and he has been chosen by the Nazi general in the camp to bake the bread for the officers. The film is filled with tragedy and fatal moments, but also with the incredible "maneuvers" of the brilliant mind, faith and will of the Baker, who overcomes them. Not only does he manage to survive the horror of Auschwitz, but he also manages to overturn the Nazi officers' consciousness and aversion to the extent that two weeks before the liberation of all prisoners, everyone in the camp, from the officers to the prisoners themselves, were eating French baguettes. Currently, the film is a short version, but the idea is to become a feature film. The Academy aims towards all short-film festivals including the Oscars. I will start filming at the end of May in Los Angeles. This is the greatest pride for now. Of course, there are suggestions that are still on the table and I'm waiting for, if all goes well. From now on, I have to keep working and confirming that what happened to me with the "Green Book" is not just a coincidence but a merit.

- The message of the "Green Book" is summed up in a line that you say: "Genius is not enough. It takes courage to change people’s hearts". Do you believe that cultural diplomacy, as part of the diplomatic relations between states, is a tool that can change people’s hearts?

- I do believe that courage can change people’s hearts. The necessity is to have an understanding between us. You can be an absolute genius, but if you do not have the motivation to give you the courage, there will be no change of the heart. One thing is lacking, in cultural diplomacy - dignity. Besides the moral line of my character in the movie there is another one of Don Shirley, personally very special to me, when he tells Tony Lip while both in jail: "Dignity always prevails". I think that if we lose our dignity, we will have no understanding, no courage and we will never be able to change human hearts. Dignity is the power that makes the other side understand, and diplomacy must be based on this dignity, on that honor and pride; but wisely and with respect. You know what you are, what you offer, why you offer it and what is the point of offering it. And then, if it is understood from the other side and accepted, it is precisely because of that dignity and authority that you offer, that you represent and that you hold on to. It is sad to say, but lately many of my colleagues in Hollywood and throughout the industry have lost just that. And unfortunately, a man, losing his dignity, no longer has the courage. "Courage" becomes a meaningless emotion, a negativity, an exaltation with meaningless shouting that not only does not change human hearts, but it disturbs them, closes them and even forgets them.

Photos: personal archive of Dimiter Marinov