Shooting for film about Croatian legend Dražen Petrović starts 

(Photo credit: Mario Topić (Kinoteka))

Over seventy film crew members, along with numerous actors and extras, transport us back to the 1970s, the formative years of Dražen Petrović.

After extensive preparations, shooting for the feature film “Nešto jače od mene (Something Stronger Than Me) – The Story of Dražen Petrović” began in Šibenik last Friday. Director Danilo Šerbedžija, working from a script by Ivan Turković-Krnjak, will bring Dražen’s legendary fighting spirit and larger-than-life character to the big screen.

The story will encompass the significant phases of Dražen’s life, from his childhood and upbringing in Šibenik, his brilliant basketball career in Europe and the USA, the wartime period, romantic relationships, all the way to his tragic death in a car accident in 1993.

The project’s authors and film producers are Ljubo Zdjelarević and Ivor Šiber from the production company Kinoteka. Co-producers include RTG Pictures from the USA, Living Pictures from Serbia, and December Production from Slovenia.

(Photo credit: Mario Topić (Kinoteka))

This is a highly demanding production that involves shooting at multiple locations in the city of Šibenik, with a large number of film crew members – over seventy people who give their all every day to capture the story of the basketball Mozart in a manner befitting its protagonist. The camera is entrusted to director of photography Ante Cvitanović.

The filming began at the place where the legend began, right at Šibenik’s Baldekin, the neighborhood of Dražen’s childhood. After Šibenik, the film crew will follow the life journey of the basketball giant at locations in Zagreb and the USA. As is the case with major global productions, special traffic regulations were put in place on the city streets this weekend, for which the city authorities and the citizens of Šibenik have shown great understanding.

(Photo credit: Mario Topić (Kinoteka))

The role of Dražen Petrović is played by young actor Domagoj Nižić, while the young Dražen is portrayed by Tonko Stošić, a seventh-grade student from Šibenik.

“We’ve been shooting for three days now. I find it so interesting, and repeating scenes is not difficult for me. Danilo, Andro, Ljubo, Nikica, Tamara, and the whole team are great, and I enjoy working with them. I couldn’t have imagined that I would be acting alongside Zrinka Cvitešić, Dragan, Domagoj. I’m very excited that they chose me to play Dražen, and I’m happy that Lovre (Tanfara) is here playing Aco. I hope we will do everything well, and the team will be satisfied, and the audience will embrace the film. I can’t wait for the premiere next year on Dražen’s birthday,” Tonko said excitedly.

(Photo credit: Mario Topić (Kinoteka))

The choice of the actress to embody Dražen’s mother was warmly welcomed by Mrs. Biserka Petrović herself, and it is none other than our celebrated actress, Zrinka Cvitešić. Since her last appearance in a Croatian film in 2012, the audience eagerly anticipates her return.

“There is a sentence in the script, and it goes like this: ‘His life is basketball; the rest of us are here only to help him.’ This film is Dražen’s story, and the rest of us are truly here only to help. His story has been an inspiration to children and youth for almost 40 years now. Personally, through the role of the mother, my main goal is to show how care, love, upbringing, and support are the most important foundations upon which a child can grow into a person with great character,” Zrinka Cvitešić stated at the start of filming, adding enthusiastically: “We’ve just finished the first day of shooting, and throughout the city, you can feel the love and pride of the people for ‘their little one.'”

Serbian actor with an international career, Dragan Mićanović, was chosen for the role of Dražen’s father, Jole Petrović. “When you’re making a film about such a beloved person as Dražen was (and still is today), who inspired so many kids of that era with his work and talent, the excitement is as great as the responsibility. After the rehearsals we had in Zagreb and these first few days of shooting in Šibenik, the impressions are very positive. Working with wonderful colleagues and the entire team is happening in a beautiful atmosphere and positive energy, knowing that we are doing something beautiful and valuable.”

(Photo credit: Mario Topić (Kinoteka))

An essential character in the film is Dražen’s older brother, Aleksandar Petrović. Lovre Tanfara, a native of Šibenik, plays the role of the celebrated player and coach, Aco Trica, as a child. “It is a great honor and pleasure for me to participate in the filming of a movie about Dražen, he is my role model since I also play basketball. Filming the movie is fun for me, the whole team is excellent and approachable, and I hope the film will be very successful.”

(Photo credit: Mario Topić (Kinoteka))

The film about Dražen’s life off the basketball court, filled with both beautiful and challenging moments, has generated significant public interest from the very beginning of shooting. The scenes from the set convincingly transport us back to the 1970s.

The plan is for the film to be released on October 22, 2024, which would have been Dražen Petrović’s 60th birthday.

(Photo credit: Mario Topić (Kinoteka))

The film is sponsored by the Croatian Olympic Committee and has received support from Atlantic Group, Wiener Insurance, Jamnica, Erste Bank, Croatian Radiotelevision, the City of Zagreb, HAVC, as well as the Film Center of Serbia and the Slovenian Film Center.