Ray Winstone, an actor who embodies the image of the London hard man, will be honored at this year’s Sarajevo film festival with the honorary Heart of Sarajevo award in recognition of his “remarkable acting career and exceptional contributions to the art of cinema.”
A boxer-turned-actor, Winstone, with his growly voice and coiled intensity, has been a menacing force on screen since playing a juvenile delinquent in Alan Clarke’s 1979 drama Scum and the tough-guy mod Kevin in Franc Roddam’s cult film Quadrophenia (1979). In those and later roles, including Gary Oldman’s Nil By Mouth (1997) and Jonathan Glazer’s Sexy Beast (2000), Winstone demonstrated his ability to combine brute force with emotional vulnerability.
He has played plenty of heavies in his career — the mob enforcer in Martin Scorcese’s Jack Nicholson’s The Departed (2006), the imprisoned drug boss Bobby Glass in Guy Ritchie’s Netflix hit series The Gentlemen — but also voiced Mr. Beaver in 2005 fantasy epic The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Bigger budget turns have included supporting roles in the MCU (Black Widow) and as the titular Beowulf in Robert Zemeckis’ 2007 animated action film.
“He is an actor who has captivated audiences for five decades with his great talent and undeniable presence,” said Sarajevo Film Festival director Jovan Marjanović. “With honesty and intensity that resonate far beyond the screen, he has given us many unforgettable characters. It is a real pleasure to present an Honorary Heart of Sarajevo to Ray Winstone.”
“The Sarajevo Film Festival continues to champion cinema that transcends spectacle, offering depth and meaning,” said Winstone in a statement. “I look forward to seeing you in Sarajevo.”
Winstone will return for the second season of The Gentlemen on Netflix next year.
The 31st Sarajevo Film Festival runs August 15-22.