We used to sit at the Faculty and work on the scenes till late hours. We each got a different author, so it was fun to see each other and exchange ideas. Although it seemed like we were living at the Faculty, we always managed to visit a good concert, play or movie in the cinema, says Kamka.

Always striking and unique on the film screen, as well as on the theater stage, it is no coincidence that Kamka Tocinovski is one of our most engaged actresses. She already has an enviable filmography behind her, and her most recent role is that of Eva in the latest film by Milcho Manchevski, “Kajmak”.

Kamka has been a graduate of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Skopje since 2000. Although a large part of the audience initially learned about her through the films in which she plays, she has been a regular employee of the Macedonian National Theater for 10 years, where she has also played a series of impressive roles.

She is the winner of the best actress award at the MTF “Vojdan Chernodrinski” – Prilep, then the “Veljko Maricic” award for the best young actress for the role of Mala in “Drugata strana” at the International Theater Festival in Rijeka, Croatia, as well as for a series other accomplishments.

In the column “When I was a student”, which we create in cooperation with Fakulteti.mk we returned to the university lectures, social gatherings, challenges.

Her aunt Marija, who starred in the cult film “Miss Stone”, inspired her to become an actress

Born and raised in the Aerodrom neighborhood in Skopje, Kamka remembers a childhood with lots of greenery, children’s games, as well as the moments when she first fell in love with film and theater art.

– It was carefree when you entered the “green” neighborhood. To cross someone, you had to stand bravely and show your teeth if necessary. I was terribly temperamental and that’s why I showed good results in creative subjects where I could somehow channel that nuclear energy – says Kamka.

As a high school student, Kamka was mostly interested in psychology, but also in art in general. Her aunt Marija, otherwise the actress who played in the famous film “Miss Stone”, had a great influence on her love for theater and film.

– At that age, the idea of my final determination was not matured. My aunt Marija, who plays in the cult films “Miss Stone”, “Kapetan Leshi” and “Signal over the city” by Zika Mitrovic, had a great influence on the development of my love for the art of acting. My aunt with the film “The Subversives” by Paolo and Vittorio Taviani entered the official program of the Venice Film Festival with a nomination for “Golden Lion” – adds Kamka.

“You will make the biggest mistake if you don’t enroll in acting”

Inspired by her Macedonian language teachers at the “Orce Nikolov” high school, who initiated the formation of the drama section in the school, Kamka has already seriously focused her attention on acting and on the desire to enroll at The Faculty of Dramatic Arts after graduation.

– My Macedonian language professors Dushko Stojanovski and Tihomir Janchoski formed the drama section in “Orce Nikolov”, which had a great influence on me. Alfred Zari’s “King Ibi” was being prepared to mark the patronage. Mama Ibi gave me the wind in my back about what I could do with love. After graduation, Tihomir asked me what I was going to enroll in and when I told him that I was still undecided, he told me: “You will make the biggest mistake if you don’t enroll in acting” – recalls Kamka.

She was convinced that she did not pass the first round of enrollment

Since she is considered a perfectionist when it comes to her acting craft, Kamka was already disappointed with herself when enrolling at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, and was even convinced that she would not be accepted. Only after she started her studies, she received a confirmation about how she passed the enrollment.

– For the reception, a monologue and a song of our own choice were mandatory, as well as stage movements, i.e. a subject for which we had to sing a song as a confirmation of rhythm and hearing. The enrolment contains of two rounds and if you pass the first, you already have a partner for a dialog scene in the second. After the first round, I remember that Vlade Milchin asked me if I was satisfied. I was honest and told him that I wasn’t at all, I wasn’t sure what I was doing. Then I did not come for results because I was convinced that I had not passed the first round. After the end of the first year, which is eliminative, that is, if you don’t show results, you may lose your studies, Milchin revealed to me that I barely passed the first round of the enrollment, and already in the second he had no doubts about me – says Kamka.

It was like we were living at The Faculty

Acting and stage movements and dances were Kamka’s favorite subjects during her studies. Acting classes took place from 5 to 8 p.m., and before that they attended theory classes. They had to use their free time for rehearsals and determining the material.

– In the first year of studies, we were not allowed to accept engagements, both theater and film. At that time, my colleague from the editing department, Atanas Georgiev – Faca, was preparing his graduation film “1/4”. He asked me for the lead role Shina. I asked permission from the professor because it was a challenge for me, but the answer was negative. I read the script several times and aware of the risk of being expelled from The Faculty, I accepted the offer. After the premiere of the film, the professor told me that he was glad that I didn’t listen to him – says Kamka.

They lived modestly, were in solidarity and were considered a very good class. This is how Kamka describes her generation.

– The biggest compliment for us was when we heard that one of the older, already established colleagues was coming to watch our exams. We traveled to Italy, Sarajevo, Zagreb. Even as students, we had our own exam performance that we gave in the Prilep Theater as a regular repertoire. This is the “The Case of Daniil Kharms”. We used to sit at The Faculty and work on the scenes till late hours. We each got a different author, so it was fun to see each other and exchange ideas. Although it seemed like we were living at FDU, we always managed to visit a good concert, play or movie in the cinema – recalls Kamka.

Prepared by: Nikola Petrovski