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Janko Popović Volarić reveals conversations with John Malkovich: 'We talked more about family than work'
🇭🇷 Croatia /Culture & Society

Janko Popović Volarić reveals conversations with John Malkovich: 'We talked more about family than work'

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Actor Janko Popović Volarić shared his experiences filming a Croatian tourism promotional video with John Malkovich.
  • Volarić described Malkovich as sarcastic but warm, with conversations often focusing on family rather than work.
  • Malkovich, who recently became a Croatian citizen, has ancestral ties to the country.

Croatian actor Janko Popović Volarić offered a glimpse into his interactions with Hollywood star John Malkovich during the filming of a promotional video for Croatian tourism. The video, titled "CROATIA – I hear it's beautiful," features Malkovich, who recently obtained Croatian citizenship, alongside Volarić.

We had a couple of situations in Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Split where they let us walk around by ourselves while the camera followed us from a distance. We didn't have security. The two of us improvised, and it was quite crazy.

— Janko Popović VolarićDescribing filming experiences with John Malkovich.

Volarić recounted moments of spontaneous improvisation with Malkovich while filming in various Croatian cities. He noted the significant public recognition Malkovich received, describing the crowd reactions as "terribly positive" despite the "general madness" it caused. "People recognized me, but him, absolutely everyone!" Volarić said.

People recognized me, but him, absolutely everyone! There was general madness, but people reacted terribly positively.

— Janko Popović VolarićOn the public reaction to John Malkovich during filming.

Describing Malkovich's personality, Volarić noted his characteristic sarcasm, which he uses both privately and in his performances. However, he also found Malkovich to be "very warm and, I would say, endearing" up close. Their conversations often delved into personal matters, particularly family. "Since he has a granddaughter and I have a daughter, we actually talked more about family than about the job itself," Volarić revealed.

He's special, he has that sarcasm that he uses both privately and in the spot. But, he's actually very warm and, I would say, endearing when you get close to him.

— Janko Popović VolarićDescribing John Malkovich's personality.

Malkovich's connection to Croatia is deep-rooted, with his great-grandparents emigrating from Ozalj. He has visited the country multiple times. The promotional video's premiere in Alexandria was attended by sports minister Toni Glavina, who presented Malkovich with his Croatian passport. Malkovich also met with members of the Croatian national football team at the event.

Since he has a granddaughter and I have a daughter, we actually talked more about family than about the job itself.

— Janko Popović VolarićOn the topics of conversation with John Malkovich.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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