Harry Potter star Stanislav Ianevski (L), who plays the role of Viktor Krum, attended the premiere of the latest Harry Potter movie in his home country Bulgaria. Photo by Kameliya Atanasova (SNA)
Bulgaria saw its first Hollywood style premiere of a huge worldwide blockbuster, when "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" was launched with flashy lights, red carpet and VIP presence in Sofia.
Movie director Mike Newell and Bulgarian-born star Stanislav Ianevski made this a night to remember for many local fans who had never before attended such a glamorous event.
Newell commented that he was very excited to be here and that he enjoyed the event and the mood of the Bulgarian audience.
For Ianevski this premiere was quite different from the London one, not only because of the lack of rain and the colder weather, but also because he could talk to his fans in his native tongue. His performance in the role of Bulgarian quidditch player Viktor Krum quickly became a sensation and swept the country in a wave of patriotic pride. Bulgarian girls found a new idol in Ianevski, who has admitted to having to butcher the English language and add a stronger accent than his own to portray Krum more accurately.
Newell and Ianevski's first appearance together on Bulgarian land was before the media.
Both shared interesting stories about their experiences on the set, the difficult decisions involved in shooting a movie, and the emotions that surround it.
Director Newell missed the premiere in Los Angeles. "Los Angeles wasn't worth it to us," he said among cheers from the crowd, "but Sofia, Bulgaria was."
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is the fourth movie based on the famous J. K. Rowling book series telling the adventures of a young wizard boy and his friends in the magical school of witchcraft and wizardry - Hogwarts. Krum is a star quidditch player , who faces Potter in the trophy fight and falls in love with his opponent's best friend - Hermione Granger.