Dubica: I cheer for the Dragons wherever they play

The example of our interlocutor, Haris Dubica, one of the most sought-after music video directors in the region, proves that there are successful Bosnians and Herzegovinians all over the world. He has roots in Sanski Most, but was born in Switzerland, where he lives and works. The name Haris Dubica has become very well-known in the music world in a very short period, where he enjoys the status of one of the most respected directors, screenwriters, and producers of music videos.

With over 100 directed videos, he has collaborated with many famous musicians from the Balkans, and with his imagination, he has brought to life and depicted the songs of Dino Merlin, Saša Kovačević, Marija Šerifović, Dado and Šaka Polumenta, Emina Jahović, the group Đogani, Dženan Lončarević, and many others. He is the recipient of various awards in the Balkans: director of the year, producer of the year, video of the year, and he has currently been nominated for one of the five videos for the best video in Switzerland.

Haris spent the past few days in BiH and Sarajevo, where he had a working visit, i.e., arranging new videos. We took this opportunity to talk to him. At the beginning of the interview for the Patria Agency (NAP), Haris tells us how he started directing videos and reveals what the secret to his success actually is.

- I worked as a DJ for six years and performed in BiH, Switzerland, the Netherlands... I played beats for the rapper Benny B, who is from Tuzla. One day he recorded a song and needed a video. We gathered friends and made a video. I accidentally fell into the world of video production; before that, I never had a strong desire to pursue that career – Haris Dubica says at the beginning of the interview for NAP.

NAP: You achieved more significant success with the video for Dino Merlin's song „Deset mlađa“. How did the collaboration with Dino come about, as you were not yet so valued and well-known then?

Dubica: The negotiations lasted a long time, but Dino noticed my enthusiasm and gave me a chance to offer him a scenario. When I sent it to him, he liked it very much, and then the video was realized. I assembled a good and professional team, from cameramen, lighting technicians... and thank God it worked. That video was declared video of the year in Serbia. After that, everything started to improve. Musicians began contacting me themselves. I will forever remember Dino Merlin's advice: „You can only become high-quality if you work with high-quality people.“

NAP: Can you describe to us what the preparation and realization of the video itself look like. Where do you draw so much inspiration from?

Dubica: It looks something like this: First, I look at the lyrics to try to visually show what the song is about, or I follow the music and try to create something interesting. It is important for me to repeat myself as little as possible. I have filmed videos in various locations, New York, Dubai, the Swiss Alps, all over the Balkans, studio videos, Greenscreen videos, dance videos, videos with professional actors like Haris Burina, etc. When I receive a song, I send the scenario and my ideas. After that, I prepare the locations, choose actors or models, depending on the type of video. And then comes the filming and post-production.

NAP: You have announced the possibility of withdrawing from the entertainment scene, i.e., entering the film industry?

Dubica: That is my goal; the film world has always attracted me, and I am currently working on it. I have even received an offer from Swiss producers to shoot a feature film. I am already in contact with our famous actors, so I hope that the film will be realized in 2015.

NAP: Besides music and video production, you have another passion; you are a big fan of the BiH national football team. You follow almost every match live. Where does such great love come from?

Dubica: Yes, that is one of my passions; I have watched over 40 matches of the BiH national team live. I have been to Spain, Portugal, France, Lithuania, Belgium, Serbia, Norway, Germany, where I cheered on our Dragons. Tickets for Brazil have long been booked. In addition, I have made good friendships with Miralem Pjanić, Senijad Ibričić, and the new national team player Anel Hadžić – says Dubica.