British actor Ray Winstone received an honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award for career achievement during this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival. Visiting the Bosnian capital for the first time, Winstone praised the city’s welcoming atmosphere and its unexpectedly beautiful environment as he attended the Variety Lounge event ahead of the open-air screening of John Hillcoat’s The Proposition.
Surprise and Reflection on a Long Career
Winstone expressed his surprise at receiving such a distinguished accolade in Sarajevo.
“Then you kind of sit down and think what it is actually about. I’ve been making films for 50 years, and to be awarded something like that from a place like this is quite an honor,”
he said, reflecting on his extensive career in the film industry.
Lessons from Boxing Shape Acting Approach
Before his acting career, Winstone spent time as a boxer, and he credits those experiences with imparting skills that have served him well on screen. Comparing boxing to acting, he explained,
“In a ring, you face an opponent, and you’re man upon man. It’s the same kind of thing, acting. You have to trust and respect someone who’s standing opposite, and you realize you need that person to be in form as much as you. They make you look good.”
This understanding of mutual respect and trust continues to influence his work as an actor.
Carrying the Legacy of British Acting
Being recognized as a symbol of authentic British acting carries significant meaning for Winstone. He described the honor as
“a hell of a weight on my shoulders,”
acknowledging the responsibility that comes with such a label. Throughout his career, Winstone has had the opportunity to work alongside legendary British actors who inspired him, sharing,
“I’ve been lucky enough to work with some icons from the British industry like Michael Caine and Tom Courtenay, people I grew up watching and were the reason why I could become an actor. To work alongside them was a hell of a moment for me.”
Dream Collaboration and Roles Still on the Horizon
Despite his accomplished career, Winstone revealed that he still aspires to work with director Ridley Scott, highlighting this as a significant collaboration he hopes to pursue. When asked about dream roles, he mentioned his interest in portraying the lead in an adaptation of Nick Cave’s The Death of Bunny Munro. Although the story has been recently adapted into a Sky TV series starring Matt Smith, Winstone admitted the timing didn’t align for him:
“I looked at it about 20 years ago and went, ‘I got it.’ They are going to do it, but I’m too old now, so I’ve missed that one,”
he said.
“I would have loved to have done it, but it will be special.”
