Jadran’s journey into acting began in London, where he honed his craft under the guidance of renowned mentor Scott Williams. His cinematic debut? A role in none other than Steven Spielberg’s War Horse—a launchpad that set him on an exciting trajectory in film and television. From working with one of Hollywood’s greatest storytellers, he went on to command the screen as General Parmenion in Alexander: The Making of God, bring charm and energy to Ted Lasso as Disco, and embody the enigmatic Valtieri in the short film Seams. Now, with directing and writing in his sights, Jadran is expanding his artistic reach, proving that his creative ambitions are just getting started.
CDH TALKS: Since last year, Alexander: The Making of God has been streaming on Netflix, bringing to life the grandeur of an ancient era. Yet beyond its historical depth, the film holds personal significance for you—you embody not just any historical figure, but the formidable General Parmenion. What qualities does he possess that a modern individual can still identify with today?
JADRAN MALKOVICH: Loyalty. Parmenion was a general, but more than that, he was a man people deeply respected—because he was good. I think that’s a quality that transcends time. Loyalty—to a partner, to a friend, to oneself, and to one’s values—is something we still cherish today. It’s a trait that defines not just warriors of the past but the integrity of individuals in any era.
CDH TALKS: Speaking of “loyalty to oneself,” where is the line where it doesn’t cross into egocentrism?
JADRAN MALKOVICH: Education is key. Taking care of oneself is not selfishness, nor is it narcissism. The problem is that cultural discourse has distorted a lot of terminology—we hear “self-care” and sometimes mistake it for self-obsession. But true loyalty to oneself isn’t about prioritizing your own truth at the expense of others; it’s about making choices that align with your values without causing harm.
It’s completely okay to sit down with yourself, to be alone with your thoughts. To reflect on where you are in life, how you’ve treated others, and whether you’re living in alignment with who you want to be. That kind of space is crucial, yet it’s something we seem to be lacking. We’re constantly running—from ourselves, from silence, from deeper introspection. Phones provide endless distraction, social gatherings become escape routes—anything to avoid facing our own minds.
But self-reflection isn’t an exhausting, never-ending loop of analysis that paralyzes you into inaction. It’s not some fragile tightrope you have to balance on. It’s a vast and open space you can move through freely. And only by allowing ourselves to engage in that process do we cultivate something truly essential—empathy. And that, I believe, is what’s most missing in today’s world.
CDH TALKS: During our initial conversation, you mentioned that Hawaii is one of your favorite destinations. Being five hours by plane from the mainland, it’s often considered the ultimate retreat island. What was your encounter with yourself like there?
JADRAN MALKOVICH: I visited Hawaii in 2019 and made a conscious decision to disconnect from social media—I wanted to be fully present. And in that space of stillness, I had a realization: I had never truly acknowledged myself. I had never taken a moment to say, Hey, well done, man. You built something from nothing—look where you started and where you are now.
Part of my upbringing was in the Balkans, where the cultural mindset often discourages celebrating personal success. There’s this ingrained belief that self-praise is almost taboo, wrapped up in superstition—the old saying, “Don’t laugh, or you’ll cry.” At the same time, I’ve also absorbed the pressures of a global culture that whispers, Nothing is ever enough.You achieve something, but instead of celebrating it, you’re already chasing the next, bigger, better, more expensive goal.
Hawaii gave me the space to pause that cycle. To stand still, breathe, and recognize that acknowledging your own journey isn’t arrogance—it’s necessary.
CDH TALKS: Engaging in acting and living in a multicultural society has given you deep insights into social dynamics. How do you perceive the global reality of everyday life?
JADRAN MALKOVICH: Everyday life contradicts us. We claim to seek peace, yet we carry inner anxiety—perhaps because true peace is what we actually lack. No matter where you look, it feels as though there is no real security. Everything—safety, happiness, health, opportunity—often seems like a carefully constructed illusion, a promise just out of reach.
We’ve been sold the idea that we must find our purpose, but that word has been distorted to mean professional or material success, as if our worth depends on external achievements. In reality, purpose is simply life itself. It’s the act of living. What you choose to do within that life is something else entirely.
That’s why I think it’s crucial to talk about shared values. I love experiencing cultural diversity, but what fascinates me even more is how much we all have in common—regardless of background, language, or belief. There’s something deeply human that binds us all together, and the more we recognize it, the better off we’ll be.
CDH TALKS: How does this dynamic reflect in the world of creativity and filmmaking?
JADRAN MALKOVICH: Anxiety is ever-present. We live in a state of constant comparison, believing we’re either not enough or don’t have enough. Everything has been turned into a competition—who’s more successful, who’s more relevant, who’s doing it right.
In filmmaking, this mindset manifests as a fear of risk. Creativity starts playing it safe. The industry, from studios to producers to directors to actors, gets caught in a trickle-down effect where everyone is afraid to experiment. And what happens? We end up with a cycle of replicated stories—copy-paste narratives that feel predictable and uninspired.
And then there’s the brutal reality: profit is everything. When financial success becomes the only measure of a film’s worth, art takes a backseat. The question isn’t “What story needs to be told?” but “What’s guaranteed to sell?” That’s a dangerous shift. It limits not just creativity but the very purpose of storytelling itself.
CDH TALKS: What social trends does art itself produce? To what extent does it nurture mental well-being, self-reflection, and personal spiritual development?
JADRAN MALKOVICH: Art has always been a primary force behind social trends. Yes, art imitates life—but it’s a two-way street, a constant exchange. How many times have you heard people quote lines from movies? Or seen fashion magazines dissecting what a certain character wore, only for those trends to flood the streets the next season? We don’t just consume art—we absorb it. We shape ourselves around it, whether we realize it or not.
That’s why art has an immense responsibility. It influences not just how we dress or speak, but how we think and feel. It can normalize self-reflection, emotional depth, and personal growth—or it can push us toward superficiality, detachment, and mindless consumption.
Ultimately, the impact of a film, book, or painting depends on the choices made by the artist. If done thoughtfully, storytelling has the power to encourage self-care, introspection, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and others—all without compromising artistic integrity. When woven naturally into a narrative, these messages can resonate without feeling forced. Art is one of the few spaces where profound truths can be communicated in ways that people feel rather than simply understand. And that’s where its real power lies.
CDH TALKS: How does this awareness shape your approach to acting, and what do you recognize in your own work?
JADRAN MALKOVICH: For me, it starts with understanding the audience—who will be watching, and how might this influence them? Every role is an opportunity to subtly shape perception, whether we realize it or not.
Take ABC’s of Life, for example, where I play the lead. I was conscious of small but meaningful choices: my character always wears a seatbelt while driving, a helmet on a motorcycle, and never resorts to cursing. These are details that might seem minor, but they create subconscious impressions.
Of course, there’s a fine line. You can only shape a character so much before it starts interfering with the story or the director’s vision. The goal is to find that balance—staying true to the narrative while being mindful of the impact. When done right, acting becomes more than performance; it becomes a form of silent storytelling that resonates beyond the screen.
CDH TALKS: To what extent does acting remain confined within the closed loop of “Film Crew – Satisfied Consumers,” and how much does it open into the reflective space of “I – You”? Is there a reciprocal connection between the actor and the audience through mutual growth and individuation?
JADRAN MALKOVICH: That’s a tricky question because filmmaking is inherently collaborative. A single project is shaped by countless decisions—by directors, writers, producers, and even the broader cultural moment in which it’s created. Ultimately, though, everything we make is for the audience. Without them, there’s no point.
That being said, how much should an artist cater to the audience? Some filmmakers go out of their way to satisfy their fan base, sometimes with great success, sometimes with disastrous results. On the other hand, take Rick Rubin—he famously said that everything he produced was for himself, never considering whether the audience would like it. The truth lies somewhere in between.
At the end of the day, you can never make everyone happy. What matters is authenticity—creating something that resonates, whether through shared experience, reflection, or emotional connection. When that happens, art ceases to be just entertainment. It becomes a dialogue.
Source we used: Press, Instagram