Ocean Grove arborist and aspiring actor Slavko Zwirn hopes to inspire his soon-to-be-born first child with his latest feature-film role.
Slavko plays a supporting role in Geelong film Undertow, which premieres at Melbourne Film Festival on 9 August – a day after his partner’s due date.
“It’s extra special for me,” he said.
“I’ll have to keep my fingers crossed that we can do the birth and see the premiere too.”
The 30-year-old has played guest roles in Australian series like The Wrong Girl, Conspiracy 365 and Jack Irish.
He also played a tradie ironically shouting empowering statements to women in a then-viral TV ad.
Slavko hoped his role in Undertow would help him make the big time.
“It’s a hard thing to crack,” he said.
“I know that I’m going to get there, it’s just not easy. That’s alright by me.”
But his firstborn may have to wait years to watch dad on the silver screen given the film’s dark nature.
Undertow is a psychological thriller about a woman dealing with a stillbirth, who becomes irrationally obsessed with a pregnant teenager.
“To be honest I don’t like watching myself on the screen let alone have anyone else watching me,” Slavko said.
“But at least (my child) would know that anything is possible.”
He praised Highton writer and director Miranda Nation for giving Geelong actors opportunities in the film.
“She’s so willing to involve local people in her art, which is obviously very precious to her,” he said.
“A bit of faith from others goes a long way.”
