The drama “When I Am Dead and Gone”, one of the best-written not only during the Black Wave period but even today, was directed by Živojin Pavlović, with the screenplay signed by Gordan Mihić and Ljubiša Kozomara. They created the character of seasonal worker Janko Bugarski, known as Jimmy Barka, masterfully portrayed by Dragan Gaga Nikolić.
The role of a young man from the social bottom, who, in the face of existential and life despair, tries to escape by aspiring to become a singer, propelled Gaga Nikolić into the world of domestic and European cinema. Although he played numerous significant roles throughout decades of his brilliant career, the tragicomic loser Jimmy Barka remained a kind of professional and personal landmark for him. In one of his last interviews, Gaga Nikolić stated: “Throughout my entire career, I have tried, in a way, to incorporate what was written in the credits of the first film I acted in. It said: ‘And when I am dead and gone, I still want to be some kind of lantern.'”
The value of the 1967 film was confirmed by the renowned John Schlesinger when he stated in Cannes that his inspiration for “Midnight Cowboy” was precisely Jimmy Bark and the Yugoslav film “When I Am Dead and Gone”.
The film won the Golden Arena for the film, the Golden Arena for directing (Živojin Pavlović), the Special Award for the best actor (Dragan Nikolić), and the Best Film of the Year at the Pula Film Festival. In Niš, it received the Special Award for the best actor – Dragan Nikolić, the Special Award for the best actress – Ružica Sokić, and the Golden Medal of Politika Express.
