''It is certainly a challenge to do something that I have not done before'' Marijana Mikulic says * about the role of the colonel in a futuristic documentary '2068' about the first Croatian mission to Mars that has its BiH premiere at the Mediterranean Film Festival. She will be watching the story of the future on the space ship Crospace for the first time in Široki Brijeg, and in addition to this one she is also in the role of a jury member at the documentary film festival. This was the opportunity to talk to this actress from Široki Brijeg about the future, career, roles – the film ones, theatre and life roles.

Somehow I like the most when all the elements connect, that I like the character, and then the whole story. The director and the crew are very important and when all this coincides is an ideal situation, and no less important element is the fee. The challenge is certainly to do something that I haven't done before, it was a challenge to play mom while I had not been a mother yet, then play a girl with dreadlocks and no makeup, and now a colonel... At least I find a challenge in every role, I somehow love them.

Unfortunately, when the hidden premiere in Zagreb was organised, I had a guest appearance with the 'Trešnja' Theater in Dubrovnik. So it is only at the Mediterranean Film Festival in Široki Brijeg that I will actually see what this is all about. I've had a great relationship with Robert for many years, therefore something like this was only a matter of time. And everything went perfectly. My part was filmed in only one day, but we were in a military aircraft simulator, so it was a great experience for all of us.

I wouldn’t exactly say that most of them avoid it, maybe that was the case ten years ago. Now, those who have not made a soap opera, even if only guest appear in it, are the minority. I have never seen a problem there. A soap opera shooting is a mining job, and anyone who hasn’t tried it doesn’t know what it is like.  The shootings last for 12-13 hours a day, and so it goes for 6 or 7 months. And actors outside of that time have to find the time to learn the text, keep fit, and do whatever it takes for the role. And apart from that, to have a life too. I believe that I can have some opinion about something, but in order to criticize something, I first have to try it out. 

I have been engaged in the Trešnja theatre for several years, where I have played many roles. Unfortunately, the theatre is not as interesting as television and film, and they cover the theatre events less. I am happy with my engagement in both, the theatre, television and film. Especially if you take into consideration that I had three children in the past ten years without a break in my work. Both have its charm, but I started on television and that’s my first love. I feel more like home there.  

No, I don’t. I only regret some missed opportunities, I was young, inexperienced, there was nobody to give me some guidelines, so I made some bad decisions. But, that’s life. Again, everything turns up well.

One of the film roles that you have played lately is the one in Vrdoljak’s ‘General’. You have repeatedly pointed out that it was somehow hard to do play this role, given that it was a person who was still alive. The film premiered in Pula, what are the reactions to it, are you satisfied with the job done?
Unfortunately, I still haven’t seen the film, but I got the stream of my scene directly from the screening in Pula. I am very satisfied, even though it is always weird to watch myself and I always think it can be done better. But I am like that in everything, from cooking lunch to approach to work - I like to do my best.

Well, no, I am not nervous. Since the beginning of my career, I have been accompanied by the people who are happy for my every success, full of support and kind words. And of course there are people who are not like that. Luckily, the latter are minority. I hope the people will like the film and my modest contribution to it.

I am interested in it, I like to watch documentary films. Although, lately these have mostly been films about nature and animals, because of my kids. But I can't watch tough films, either documentary or feature films, it affects me too much. As far as the competition is concerned, there are a lot of films, and the decision won’t be easy. But I hope that the best one will surface itself and that the decision will not be difficult.

Some castings happen, and some hopes exist. I even received one offer in this last pregnancy, but filming was supposed to be when I was already in an advanced pregnancy, so it didn’t happen. But somehow I hope everything comes when and if it's time for it. I'd love to, but so far I'm quite happy with what I have here.

Motherhood is definitely the greatest challenge for me. I am trying and doing my best. And how do I handle it? Sometimes better, sometimes worse, as everyone does, I suppose. I also write about it in my column, and women call me with positive reactions to honest texts. We all sometimes need to hear that everything is not always going smoothly with others, and that everyone has a hard day, even moms. Somehow, when you hear that, it seems like it's a little easier. I think the most important thing is for the children to feel love, the unselfish giving. And the rest comes along.