Ex Croatian President Mesic Arrives on Hvar as Actor in New Movie

The former President of Croatia, Stipe Mesic, is to join the set of Visoka Modna Napetost in Jelsa to act in Filip Šovagovic's new film.

Ex-Croatian President Stipe Mesic is due to arrive on the island of Hvar on Sunday, May 8 2011 to take up his newest role in a busy schedule since completing his second presidential term by turning his abilities to acting, according to a report in regional newspaper,Slobodna Dalmacija.

Mesic will be joining fellow members of the cast of Filip Šovagovic's new movie, Visoka Modna Napetost (High Fashion Tension), which is being filmed in the picturesque resort of Jelsa on the northern coast of Croatia's premier island.

Quality Cast of Croatian Actors

While less is known about Mesic's acting ability on the big screen, he is certainly no stranger to performing in public, and his presidency was both colourful and popular. Succeeding Franjo Tudjman to become the country's second president, Mesic has been voted Croatia's most popular politician on several occasions. He served two five-year terms from 2000-2010, before being superceded by current incumbent, Dr. Ivo Josipovic.

Whatever the former president's acting abilities, one thing is certain – he finds himself among a quality cast of Croatian actors, as the cast includes famous names such as Goran and Bojan Navojec, Marija Škaricic , and Nataša Janjic. The film is the story of three brothers, political, religiously fanatical and criminal, who live in a small island environment.

Hotel Fontana Adriatiq Film Package

The arrival of the film set in Jelsa is a welcome boost to tourism in the town, and particularly to the Hotel Fontana, where the actors will be based. Jelsa is the third largest town on the island, and one of the most attractive as a base to enjoy Hvar, names as one of the World's Sexiest Island by Forbes Magazine.

In addition to its picturesque old town and stone heritage, numerous pristine beaches, excellent cuisine and relaxed cafe culture, a daily catamaran connects Jelsa to the mainland in Split and the popular resort of Bol on neighbouring Brac.

The filming is particularly good news for the Hotel Fontana, part of the Adriatiq group, which is hosting the cast for the duration of the filming. The hotel is offering a special Visoka Modna Napetost package from April 26 - June 11, the benefits of which include a 30% discount on all rooms and suites, free ferry transfers, framed pictures with director Filip Šovagovic, and the opportunity to mingle with the stars of the film in the hotel's Bubble Bar.