Tim Safy, actor in the film „On the Beautiful Blue Danube“

German actor of Turkish descent Tim Safy came to Belgrade as a member of the crew of the film „On the Beautiful Blue Danube“, which will close the 36th FEST. We have seen him on the 2004 FEST in the film “Head on”, in which he played a Turkish cab driver. Tim Safy says he enjoyed working with Darko Bajic:

“It was a great adventure, but also a great pleasure. We have met on the eve of the shooting and became good friends, almost like brothers. I was informed about Darko making a film by a mutual friend Mihaela Kezele. Darko Bajic helped her when she was making the film “Milan”. I sent my DVD to Belgrade at her recommendation; they invited me to come and after a brief introduction, I heard the question every actor wants to hear: ‘which role do you want to play in this film?’

I got one of the leading roles, one which is tailor made for me. I dance, I sing… I had a great time!

The film „On the Beautiful Blue Danube“ is a typical Balkan story to which I adapted well. It’s not a surprise, for Turks and Serbs have a similar mentality. I was born in Turkey and moved to Germany with my parents. I am German, but in my soul, I remain a Turk. I have never felt as a foreigner in Germany because I speak the language fluently; also, it’s hard to feel a foreigner in a country with 2,5 million Turks. There might be a sense of fear from foreigners in Germany in general in the last couple of years, which is probably the influence of America and their fear from terrorists. Whenever asked about terrorism, I have a counter question: ‘Why do you ask me? Am I maybe the Ambassador of these guys or something?’

It’s a little bit funny, especially in the last few years, when we Turks “saved” German film. Critics worldwide note the advent of the NEW GERMAN FILM, but all these films have been made by Turks. Some of the best Turkish actors live in Germany – some of them are born there and others have settled in Germany at some point of their lives.

When a German film made by a German director of Turkish origin receives an award, all Germans are proud of it. They suddenly forget we are Turkish, but I always want to remind them of that fact in that situation.

Truth be told, I spent a good part of my life in France studying acting. Wherever I find myself, I try to feel like at home. It was the same were, during the shooting; I learned a lot of words and I have had quite a few lines in Serbian.