Acting with Clooney was fun, says London Cypriot

WORKING with a stellar cast including George Clooney, Matt Damon and Bill Murray could easily have been an intimidating experience for a young actor.

But according to London Cypriot Dimitri Leonidas, filming new movie The Monuments Men was simply “a lot of fun” – thanks to Clooney’s ability to put everyone at ease.

Leonidas, 26, spent five months in Germany and Britain filming the epic, based on the true story of art experts who fought to save masterpieces looted by the Nazis.

He plays a German Jew forced to flee to America, where he helps the curators and academics charged with tracing treasures including Michelangelo’s Madonna, which was stolen from Bruges. Clooney produced, directed and also stars in the movie.

Leonidas, who has appeared in Grange Hill, Doctor Who and films such as Centurion, said: “It really a lot of fun. The atmosphere George creates set is one in which everyone is enjoying themselves – taking the work but not taking themselves too seriously.

“He has a real way making  people feel comfortable.”

He said the work volunteers who recovered the artworks was largely unknown. Two died the effort. “To finally pay our respects to these guys who did amazing job is important,” he said.

Leonidas has met Harry Ettlinger, the man his character is based on. “He’s amazing,” he said. “I think Harry understands that certain events were dramatised a way that was not entirely accurate but the essence of what he went through and the experiences of the Monuments Men is in the film. “He’s very proud the story is finally being told.”

Leonidas, whose father is Greek Cypriot and late mother was British, has two sisters, Stephanie and Georgina, who also act. Georgina played Katie Bell in Harry Potter.