Milena Dravić was a Serbian actress born in Belgrade in 1940. She was involved in the performing arts from a young age, starting with dance and later classical ballet. Her early exposure to the arts led to her being noticed by director František Čap, who saw her on the cover of a youth magazine and approached her about starring in his film Vrata ostaju otvorena. This marked the beginning of her acting career, which would go on to span many years and numerous films.
Dravić's big break came in 1962 when she won the Golden Arena for Best Actress award for her role in Branko Bauer's film Prekobrojna. This achievement solidified her position as Yugoslavia's first and arguably biggest female movie star. She went on to have a long and prolific career, showcasing her talent and versatility in a wide range of roles.
From tragic heroines in state-sponsored World War II epics to eccentric protagonists in experimental arthouse films like WR: Mysteries of the Organism, and romantic comedies, Dravić was equally memorable and believable in each. She particularly excelled in romantic comedies during the 1970s and 1980s, earning her the Cannes Best Supporting Actress Award in 1980 for Special Treatment.
Throughout her career, Dravić received numerous awards and accolades for her roles and contributions to domestic cinematography. One of her most notable awards was the prestigious "Pavle Vujisić" award, which she received in August 1994.
In her personal life, Dravić was married three times, with her third husband being the prominent Serbian actor Dragan Nikolić. The couple co-hosted the popular 1970s television program Obraz uz obraz together. Tragically, Dravić passed away on October 14, 2018, after a long battle with illness.
