The winner of the prestigious BAFTA award, British actress Miriam Margolyes is making her debut in Serbian film Next to You, shooting in Belgrade and London.
Written and directed by Serbian director Stevan Filipović (Shaitan’s Warrior, S/Kinning), the film is a mystery thriller revolving with a murder set during the Covid-19 virus pandemic, and it talks about the emancipation and transformation of a young journalists and her struggle to find morality and integrity in a world that seems to be becoming more and more populist.
Filmed in accordance with established guidelines for maintaining physical distance in Serbia and the United Kingdom, the director uses unconventional methods borne of lockdown limitations during a state of emergency in order to to create a challenging film. The action is seen through computers, mobile phones, tablets, webcams and surveillance cameras, and the actors filmed themselves often in their own homes.
Miriam Margolyes plays the character of Grandma Vera, a British Yugoslav who lives in Belgrade with her dog, a role that Stevan Filipović wrote specifically for her. She said: “The fact that I appeared in Serbian film for the first time when I was eighty-first years old is only a part of this unusual experience. Namely, all these things were unknown to me: Serbian language, filming via ZOOM, to act with someone I don’t know and don’t see during my performance, to use my clothes and props while filming from home… Every filming is, in fact, an act of trust, faith, and this film required much more faith than usual. But Stevan directed it in a very cunning manner. He knew when someone needs to be cajoled and when they need to be supported. After the some initial doubts, I fell in love with the whole process. I became aware of the politics behind the story of the film itself. I slowly began to believe that, despite my isolation, I could participate in the film and use my anxieties to improve my role in the project. This experience was not very pleasant, but it was certainly authentic. I would like to repeat it. ”
Stevan Filipović said: “Since we met in London, I have been waiting for the right moment to build a story about Miriam and her impressive appearance. Ironically, a global pandemic was needed to make it feasible to film in London and Belgrade without anyone leaving their homes. Working with Miriam is a dream come true. She brought sincerity, depth and raw emotion to that complex character. She experienced practical challenges as creative adventures, and even learned a few sentences in Serbian to add authenticity to her role, which was amazing. Everyone had to adjust, and that only contributed to the general excitement. I am proud of what we have achieved thanks to Miriam, the rest of the cast and the international team. This is not just a film about quarantine during a state of emergency. “