"Green Book" directed by Peter Farrelly has excellent chances of winning at least one of the Oscars of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the end of the week. Bulgarian actor Dimitar Marinov, who plays the role of a Russian cellist has also contributed to the quality of the movie, nominated in five categories.

Dimitar Marinov had overcome a lot of hardships that liberal and talented men faced in the times of socialism. He had a difficult childhood in "untrustworthy" family, according to the criteria of the totalitarian system. He faced interrogations for propagating "bourgeois ideas" and made an attempt to escape with Orient Express. Years in prison followed where guards broke his fingers with rubber hammers. But despite the suffering no one could take away his dream of becoming one among the best on stage.

Conductor of the Pioneer Philharmonic Orchestra Prof. Vladi Simeonov, gave him motivation and taught the young violinist discipline without taking away his individuality. His acting teacher Nevena Kokanova, once told him: "Your path is long, just keep to the road!"

In the first months after the fall of the totalitarian regime in 1989, Dimitar Marinov left for America and everything he did moved him steps closer to fulfilling his dream – from the first steps in the theater of San Diego to the casting for the role in Green Book, as the prototype was an actual Russian cellist, who escaped through the Iron Curtain. So, quite logically, having a similar fate, Marinov was successful in presenting a credible movie character.

“Looking back I see many frightening moments and I think that some things were meant to happen,” the actor says. "For example, the family who accepted me in the United States lost a son, born on the same date as me. Their family name is Shirley and in the movie now I'm partnering with black musician Don Shirley. Indeed, I would not say that I believe in predetermined lives but when I think about these events, the word destiny comes to mind.”

Oscar acceptance speeches are usually given by producers and directors, but what would the Bulgarian actor say if he had the chance?

“I would quote genius actress Marlene Dietrich, who, upon accepting an award once, said she would not thank other people but herself. Although it sounds selfish and the truth is that many people have helped me get here, at the end it is me who did the job. I would tell people to believe in themselves and fight for what they want, despite the circumstances. There is good story that turned into my motto - a naked man jumped into a cacti garden and when asked why he did it, he replied that at that moment it seemed the most reasonable thing to do. So do not stop jumping into the cacti!”

In a month we will meet again with Dimitar Marinov, who will present the movie "A Picture with Yuki," in which he plays at the Sofia Film Festival.

What changes would he like to see in Bulgaria when he lands?

“Thirty years later, Bulgaria continues to decline and the sad thing is that it has little chance to gain prominence in Europe and the world," he says with bitterness. “I would like to provoke the audience, friends and colleagues not to stay humble; because it is high time the intelligentsia stopped selling out to commercialism and become cosmopolitan. Great Bulgarian talents should take over the reins. That's what I want to see and I want to hear my friends and fellow actors saying they would try to do this.”

English: Alexander Markov