Famous French Cinematographer Joins Eric Cantona in Croatian Film Project ‘Anka’

World renowned French director of photography Thierry Arbogast, known for his work on films by famous French director Luc Besson, has visited Croatia.  Accompanied by Croatian director and actor Dejan Aćimović, Arbogast was scouting locations for Aćimović’s upcoming feature fiction film ‘Anka’ which Arbogast will work on as director of photography.

Thierry Arbogast and Dejan Aćimović, photo: Dario Hacek

“This is my first visit to Croatia. The diversity of the landscape is amazing – from Šibenik and its surroundings – all the way to the Zagreb region. Beautiful and impressive”, said Arbogast to daily Slobodna Dalmacija. Arbogast was attracted to work on Aćimović’s ‘Anka’ project because of its immaculate screenplay written by Tatjana Aćimović, which is based on the eponymous children’s book written by Mate Lovrak.

“I love that script. I love its universality, the emotional power of the main character – the girl named Anka – but also the social aspects and the love story between the characters Pralja and Brasilian”, said Arbogast.

Among many projects Arbogast has collaborated with Luc Besson, his favourite is ‘Léon: The Professional’, he revealed. Arbogast considers it to be the most perfect and most wholesome of Besson’s work. Arbogast, who has returned to Paris to work on Besson’s latest film ‘Lucy’, says that he can not wait to return and start snapping his camera in Croatia.

The shooting of ‘Anka’, directed by Aćimović and produced by his sister Tatajana, is due to kick off at the end of spring / beginning of summer 2014 with an impressive team consisting of world-renowned names such as football legend Eric Cantona (“Looking For Eric“), Ralf Möller (“Gladiator”), Rade Šerbedžija, and local actors Linda Begonja, Ivan Brkić, Petar Mirčevski, Goran Bogdan and Goran Grgić. ‘Anka’ recently received support in the way of a 30.000 euros grant from Program MEDIA (European Commission).

Aćimović’s documentary film ‘The King’ (Kralj), about Croatia’s most successful paralympic athlete Darko Kralj, won numerous awards (Vukovar Film Festival, Liburnia Film festival and Siroki Brijeg) and has been in the Oscar race for the best documentary film nomination.