– You said that the theme of the game “Alone” connects you a lot. What exactly was the determining factor for participation in the project?
– I am always in the first place – and when choosing roles in the cinema, and now in the theater – I start not so much from the material itself, but from the people, because other people are our main teachers. exactly for mesmiling). Here the name of the director, the cast became known quite quickly, and at the same time we agreed to meet with Nikita (Kobelev, director). – “socialbites.ca”), where everything became completely clear to me. When you hear the names of all these outstanding people you have to work with, you immediately realize what a wonderful experience you must have.
When I read the play, I liked it because it has a certain ephemerality and there’s even a kind of fantasy involved when it comes to my hero. I really liked that it was a completely different design. You are pondering something, trying to fully understand your feelings, and the viewer fully shares this experience with you. Thanks to this, the viewer himself somehow becomes an independent protagonist of the play. It soon became clear to me that this material would expand me professionally and be a turning point.
– Production director Nikita Kobelev admitted that he first went into acting, but eventually devoted his life to directing. It is believed that directors with some degree of acting experience build their work with artists differently: in some ways more carefully, carefully. What do you remember about Kobelev’s technique and what did you manage to learn while working with him?
– Nikita is a director with whom I am very comfortable working. True, he is a very clean, very respectful person in his work. He does not interfere with the actor at all, he often starts from his organics and listens to his ideas. As an actor, you exist in a kind of partnership with him, but as the main actor he directs you. And of course, he has his own clear concept and understanding of what he strives for as an artist. This is a completely new experience for me, especially since I still see myself as a promising theater actor (smiling).
Nikita totally surprised me. Despite his still young age, he seems to me a man with a very mature soul. This is an experienced artist who knows how to work with a variety of materials in terms of complexity while staying true to himself. I am very happy to have discovered a director like Nikita Kobelev because he will still surprise us.
– Victoria Isakova and Alexandra Rebenok became your colleagues in the game. You’re all powerful actresses – and also different internal organics. How did you choose the ideal score for your heroes’ “voices” by three such different authors?
– This is more of a question for the director because we rehearse our roles in parallel, not together. But, of course, the task is to create a kind of unique sound in performance. As for working with Vika and Sasha, I really admire them. We became friends thanks to joint projects with Sasha, we have been in warm relations with Vika for a long time, but this is our first joint project. And now it is a great pleasure for me to meet them on the same stage because I have a lot to learn from them.
Personal experience is very important in the acting business in general. Of course, technique is very important, without it you will not be able to transfer the material correctly. But what is especially valuable to me about Vika and Sasha is that they are interesting not only as actors, but also individually.
– The game “Alone” is presented as a production-confession. While working on the production – as an actor and as a person – what new and important things did you discover about yourself?
– For me, this is a story about the fear of intimacy, which is very relevant. Because now, in a time of general disconnection, at a time when personality cult and self-brand promotion are at the forefront, it’s very difficult for people to get close – and it’s not just about romantic relationships. I found it very interesting to explore this topic. And generally speaking, our production is beautiful, exciting and profound.
– I understand that you are trying to follow the theatrical life of the capital. How did the performances you watched affect you the most and why?
— Yes, I often go to the theater. Of all the things I’ve seen in the last six months, I liked Dmitry Krymov’s “Seryozha” the most. My friend is playing Masha Smolnikova, and it’s a great acting job, like the whole performance. It seems to me that while watching it, you find yourself in a completely different dimension and space. I love Nikitin (Kobeleva – “socialbites.ca”) performances: “Environs / Fantasies” and “Creature”. I also really like the performances in the CIS: “Mother’s Heart”, “Man”.
– It seems that “Alone” has a therapeutic effect: in the monologues of the heroines, many things intersect with our daily and personal lives. Talking about the impact of art on a person, do you like material that allows the viewer to escape from the world around you, or does the material that causes the viewer to have a serious speech gives you the opportunity to reflect on everything? experiences collectively?
– You know, I think it’s both options. Because both are two main acting purposes. There are films whose mission is to help the viewer experience purification through experience. In general, I believe that the task of the artist is to help the viewer establish an internal dialogue with himself. And in general, my acting process is also about therapy with myself and others. The deeper you can do this – the stronger the impact of your work will be. And I believe that art helps people reach the beautiful, the God, the truth.
If we talk about material with a different method of influence, then last year I was so full of complex projects that now, on the contrary, I want to touch on a more genre, lighter cinema, where the audience can somehow switch, relax. This is an important effect of art, which cannot be devalued. Probably the ideal option is when you can basically mix different projects and not get stuck on one thing. As they say in Hollywood: a project for the studio, a project for yourself. This option suits me.
– Continuing the theme of socially important art: last year you published two paintings that talk about important acute social issues. The movie “Sisters” brought up the topic of domestic violence and drama “Healthy man” considered the importance of human sensitivity. How did you perceive both projects during the script phase – and what could you get from them for yourself as a result?
— Despite their complex subject matter, I chose both projects quite consciously. Last year, I went through a period in my life when it was important for me to talk about important issues. Now I felt inside myself that I wanted to go into such a depth: both myself and in general. Address issues that are difficult for you and society.
As for the movie “Sisters”, this is a very special movie for me, I did it not only as an actor but also as a producer. The issue is not just domestic violence, but the issue of violence in society in general is growing so much that it hangs in the air. I want to explore it and try to destroy it in a sense. I was very impressed by the fact that the male team reacted to making this film and they were promising young filmmakers. I love this movie and I’m proud of it.
It taught me a lot, because it seems to me that inner growth happens through such difficult issues. After all, you cannot integrate your personal patterns, questions, traumas into it. Thanks to this movie, it was as if I was cleaning myself and discovering in the Karpman triangle: victim, aggressor and savior. Considering that the topic of domestic violence is still somewhat taboo, it was important for me to do this project with all my courage.
By the way, the movie “Healthy Man” was shot earlier than “Brothers”, it was released later. And in both cases Nikita Efremov and I (partner on the site – “socialbites.ca”) initially there was an internal response to talk about: “Sisters” – about violence, “Healthy Man” – about choice, values, family.
– In both tapes, you played with Nikita Efremov, with whom you had previously acted. How do you work with Nikita – and why do you think the directors take you to joint projects so often?
– Nikita and I have been friends for many years and it’s great that you and your partner have so many points of contact. Overall, I believe 50% of the success of your role is a partner. And when Nikita and I are equally deeply immersed in the material, discussing it, we have that degree of frankness in our relationship. We can even honestly say some things that are not very pleasant for each other in this process, but all this is a guarantee of a high-quality result of our cooperation. I find working with him very interesting and comfortable.
As for screen chemistry, I think it’s based on our partnership and the fact that we’re united by shared values in life. We speak the same language as him.
Which stories or characters would you like to work on in the future and why?
“I’d like to try a fairy tale, a romantic comedy, maybe a strong-willed heroine. I would like to work with talented high society candidates and successful masters. I want to explore new forms because the worst thing that can happen to me as an actress is to stand still. Another interesting production.
Today, warming intention is important. I want to find a material that will make the audience hopeful and call to calm. I want to evoke this in myself and others.