– In the new season of Vampires of the Middle Band, Zhenya has risen from the dead. Did you know that your hero didn’t die in the beginning, or were you and the fans worried about his fate?
– Of course I knew. To be honest, I read the script before shooting it. Joke! At the beginning I was told that your hero dies at the end of the season and we as a group are very sorry for him but nothing can be done. In such cases, I don’t need to be upset because it’s just a movie and a role. What happened after that is still a mystery to me.
– After the resurrection, your hero has become more funny. What was it like playing a little crazy young vampire?
– Responsible first! And since the return of the character is not planned, of course, from the first seconds of reading the script, it is fun, funny and funny. On the site, as they say, “I came to the end”.
– There are a lot of newcomers in the new season – the director of the project has changed. Tell me, how did the old team accept the new ones? How much do you think the show has changed?
– I don’t know about everyone, but in my experience, workshops and film crew members outside of the main creative team often change – unless suddenly the creators themselves need drastic changes to the characters. Such moments are often underestimated. Someone grows with the team, someone does not grow elsewhere, as always. In my opinion, the series hasn’t changed its concept and that’s definitely a plus for me.
– The first season of “Vampires” was remembered by many as your screen duet with Yuri Stoyanov. And it looks like you really have a connection. Really?
– For me, I have great respect and gratitude to Yuri Nikolayevich for everything he did for Russian cinema and our film. I find it a blessing to be able to work with such great professionals and even to hear nice comments about our collaborative work.
– In the new season, one of the roles was played by choreographer Yegor Druzhinin. You used to break dance – was it interesting to talk to him as one of the most popular dancers in Russia?
— It’s always exciting: meeting and working with new colleagues and even partners. I really wanted everything to go as smoothly as a dance – it seemed to work. Egor is a very interesting person, but unfortunately during filming it was not possible to adequately communicate due to a large part of the work. And then everyone either has other projects or their own personal life. We didn’t talk about dancing.
— One of the most popular projects of 2022 is the Black Spring series, which is about young people who decide to open a duel club. There you played the melancholic Mel in love with the aesthetics of the 19th century. What attracted you most to this character?
– At first, “Well, it’s just you!” With his statement, I was skeptical when the role was presented to me. But after reading the first two episodes and speaking with the directors and creative team, all my questions instantly disappeared. There is such professional magic and that is exactly the case.
– In one of the interviews, you said that you are not on good terms with your algebra teacher. How was the literature? After all, you’re a poet like Mel…
– Thank you! In one way or another I found a common language with teachers in all schools, but I still had to. And in the beginning my heart lay more on the Russian language and literature than on any other subject, there at least I can touch but cope.
— In the series, your character is in love with Angela, played by actress Anastasia Krasovskaya. You and she are similar in that you don’t graduate from professional acting universities. How important do you think it is to have a special education for an actor?
“Education equals experience. I have already gone through my training stages directly in the working process. Of course, this hit my self-confidence first – the fact that I didn’t “fit” or “could not do the same”. To put it simply and simply: I’ve always felt outside of my element. You don’t need an education to get into the cinema. To play it is necessary to capture the inside of the audience.
– Your Mel is going through a difficult experience – first and unrequited love. Has there ever been a similar moment in your life? And when you play such dramatic characters, are you inspired by their emotions when writing your songs?
– Of course, there was a moment when all humans are just humans. I am inspired by everything that surrounds me and, of course, cinema – it is an integral part of my daily life. It also bears fruit.
– You covered the song “Zabava” by Mumiy Troll, which became the soundtrack of “Black Spring”. How was this idea born? Did you get any reaction from Ilya Lagutenko?
— I believe the creators originally planned to make this a soundtrack. And after getting fully acquainted with each other’s micro-worlds, my team and I received an offer from the creators to make our own interpretation, not just a cover. Obviously, we had permission from Ilya for this event. Of course, for me and for us this experience is growth, an interesting task mixed with responsibility and the desire to please only those people who are dear to our hearts – the film crew. There was no specific feedback from the artist. But I want to say from my own experience that I don’t like covers and remixes and that the song “Zabavy” is a masterpiece.
– Do you have a teacher in the field of acting?
– Each of your colleagues.
Is there a project in your filmography that you particularly remember?
– I clearly remember all the roles and carefully hide each “skeleton”.
– Some of your projects were shot outside the capital. What are the most memorable places?
— I think that the Crimea and the Perm Territory left the most vivid impressions.
– You travel a lot in Russia, including on musical tours. For example, when you arrive in Chelyabinsk, do you know the city and the local people? Do you feel the difference with Moscow?
– Of course there is a difference. Different rhythms of life Different internal settings, not always the differences depend only on the city. Man determines his day and life himself.
– In a New Year’s post on social networks, you wished every child a happy childhood. How do you remember yours?
– Happy and remember, so I wished.
– In the TV series “The New One” you played a boy who moves from Moscow to the country and goes to a new school. You have changed many educational institutions yourself in real life. Have you had to deal with bullying and other unpleasant, traumatic moments of your teenage life? If so, what helped you overcome them?
– It happened – and again and again. It helped me to look at the situation from the outside and look at the inner feeling of my truth that no one can rape. Another sport – no one wants to fight an athlete.
– An important role in the socialization of children in “Difficult Teenagers” is played by teachers who care about their future. Do you think the teacher’s job is just to teach the subject or to socialize? Was there a time in your past where a teacher helped you deal with a difficult life period?
First of all, this teacher is the person who teaches. Although everything happened to me: when the coach changed the role of the father and the teachers were morally removed from there, the parents did not see it. I think that parents still need to teach the child to socialize, it is completely their responsibility and duty until they come of age.
By the way, about responsibility. Are you aware of that in front of the audience? What do you want to convey to him?
– Definitely and therefore had some problems. I wish every person to strive every day to be the best version of themselves. I want to wish and do because only these two components will be enough to reach your goal, except luck.
– Judging by the comments under the posts, many young girls are writing to you. Were there stories of female fans having strange behavior at concerts or in everyday life?
– Of course they write, but somehow I suddenly caught the attention of not only peers. I can say that it is not easy to start a relationship, or even start a new conversation, to continue when you realize that the attitude towards you is clearly wrong and biased. But in my personal space, I tried very hard to prevent even the wrong thoughts from appearing.
– If you are offered to make yourself a movie or TV show, what will it be about?
– So far, I’m in the maturation phase and thank you for the good encouragement. It is really important what the film is about, in which layers, in what tones and colors, in what cinematic language and about what the story is told. Gathering everything in one universe, breaking it down into parts in detail so that the result is not empty. At the very least, you need to be mentally prepared to direct. So far, I am mastering the skill in other professions.
– You know Guf. How did you meet? And with which Russian artists would you like to harmonize – or are you already planning?
We know each other, yes, but we’re not exactly close friends. We met by chance and I have known the concert director for a long time from an early age. You could call it the man who made his career. Plus, Lehi had a genuine interest in the team we were putting together at the time. The “OG” part is like a conclusion. I won’t reveal all the details, there’s a muddy history – and for me, anything there is tantamount to digging through the dirty laundry. I bow to Alexei Sergeevich for everything.
I won’t reveal with whom there will be “combinations” but there are more than enough idols from different generations. In my dreams I would like to work with Tyler The Creator, James Blake, Russ… But most of all, I would like to find time for my own sessions and improvisations with my friends!