BANJA LUKA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FILM ENGLISH-LANGUAGE TV SERIES PILOT

The Gimnazija Banja Luka has once again proven to be a breeding ground for creative young talent, as a group of its students successfully filmed an impressive pilot episode of a TV series entirely in English.

PHOTO: Gimnazija Banjaluka

The series, titled “Resurgence” (original title: “Preporod”), will premiere on March 4 at 8 p.m. at Cineplexx Palas. The show explores themes of identity and belonging through the eyes of a young protagonist caught between two worlds.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

At first, nothing indicated that such an ambitious project would emerge from a high school classroom. However, when the enthusiasm of a dedicated teacher met the creativity of hardworking students, imagination took over — and the sky became the limit.

A group of young enthusiasts, led by English teacher Damir Crnomarković and director Milan Banjac, achieved something rarely seen in secondary education: they filmed a fully produced pilot episode in English.

Crnomarković explained that the school launched an English-language drama club two and a half years ago, gradually attracting more and more students

“They had a million ideas. My role was to coordinate and guide them in the right direction. Once we developed the main concept, I invited Milan to provide professional guidance and help shape the project,” he told RTRS.

Director Banjac emphasized that the original idea was far more modest. In 2024, the team filmed a teaser to secure basic funding.

“That’s when I saw the enormous potential these students had. Despite never having been in front of a camera, their acting and natural behavior — without a single rehearsal — were incredible. It gave me hope that this project could grow into something much bigger,” Banjac said.

THE STORY

The pilot episode of “Resurgence” tells the story of a young girl who moves from Germany to Banja Luka with her family, forced to begin a completely new chapter of her life.

Accustomed to an environment marked by emotional distance and cold relationships, Sara suddenly finds herself surrounded by people who are warmer, more open, and more connected than anything she has previously experienced. This cultural and emotional contrast sparks a profound inner transformation.

Under intense pressure from her parents to be perfect, successful, and the best at everything, the main character struggles between external expectations and her own personal desires.

The pilot concludes with an open ending, leaving room for the continuation of the story

STEPPING OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE

For the young cast, the project meant stepping far beyond their comfort zones. Despite having no prior on-camera experience, they faced the full range of challenges that come with a professional film set.

Student actor Petar Subotić, who plays a character named Chris, described the experience as entirely new.

“I attended acting classes about six years ago for a year and performed in one play, but I had never acted in front of a camera before. This was definitely a new experience,” Subotić told Glas Srpske.

According to him, acting for the camera offers advantages compared to theater, particularly the opportunity to redo scenes and improve performances.

Filming began in late 2024, and the episode was shot over the course of more than a year. Although completed several months ago, final details were still being polished.

“It was demanding and challenging because we tried to turn a school project into something serious — something that would reach a high standard so that viewers would say, ‘This isn’t just a group of kids from a school.’ With the involvement of experienced actors like Nikola Pejaković, along with professional camera work, production, and a dedicated crew, everything was raised to an impressive level,” Subotić added.

With its official premiere just around the corner, “Resurgence” stands as a testament to what can be achieved when youthful creativity meets mentorship and professional support — proving that big stories can indeed begin in a high school classroom.