“It is our tradition to say whatever you want.” Interview with Vitaly Khaev Actor Vitaly Khaev called Gogol his favorite Russian writer 11/08/2024, 17:17

— In one of your last interviews, you already talked about the second season of “Holidays” and said that it would be deeper. Please explain what this means; Could it be a departure from the sitcom genre?

— No, this is not a deviation from the genre in any way. Our wonderful writers Dmitry Kovalev and Denis Shenin wrote deeper conflicts this season. For example, it’s not like the character forgot where he hid the bottle, it’s based on deeper family relationships. For this reason, during the shooting, it seemed to me that the season would be more intense. However, as the problems become more serious, the situations will become even more ridiculous. In addition, children are born in the family, weddings are held, and all changes in the Pyzhovs’ relationship are brighter than in the first season.

— Your hero becomes a grandfather. How did you adjust to this role?

– I’m not a grandfather yet, I’m not very used to this role. Even though I’m about to turn 60, I’m experimenting with what seems to be waiting for me. It seems to me that being a grandfather is much more interesting than being a father. You can come, play, give gifts and go home to rest. All other responsibilities belong to the children. I think this is great.

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TNT press service

— Producer of the series, Anton Zaitsev, said that holidays are a very special topic for Russian people, because during holidays people often fight and settle things. Why do you think this happens especially during holidays?

“I don’t think people only fight during the holidays.” This happens when people meet both at work and at parties. When the whole family gathers at the same table, people drink, relax, remember things, and therefore various frictions arise. All families have their own undercurrents, skeletons in the closet that force them to get things done. Apparently people talk openly when they are drunk.

— Do you think this is a typical Russian trait, or does nationality not matter in this matter?

— Somehow I didn’t think about it. I think all people are the same. Maybe we have a more intimate relationship. They can say whatever they think to our face. There are more closed people; In some countries it is not customary to say something openly. It is our tradition to say whatever you want. Especially when you drink 50g.

— They also say that Russians have too many holidays and weekends…

– So that’s great. And the Italians and Spaniards take a nap every day, closing the shop and going to bed only once during the day. We don’t do that, but – I counted once – there are only 144 professional holidays. Imagine a vacation of almost six months.

— Meanwhile, in the first season of “Holidays,” the Pyzhov family celebrates Navy Day. Did the show’s writers take your experience in the Navy into account?

— I don’t know because we weren’t familiar with the scriptwriters at that time. Yeah, they didn’t really take that into account, it was just a coincidence between the character and me. The script featured a man who served in the navy and was a member of the USSR. However, I do not rule out that the writers are familiar with my story.

— Directors and producers often say that many actors are willing to do their own stunts because of athletic training or courage. How do you feel about this? Does sports training allow you to perform acrobatics on your own?

— First of all, I was an athlete at the age of 18. So more than 40 years have passed and I no longer consider myself an athlete. Yes, I keep in shape, but it’s more of a physical exercise; to feel good. It has nothing to do with professional sports. And of course, at a certain period of my life, sports helped me a lot: it was both discipline and health. And as for the stunts… Actors shouldn’t do any stunts in movies. The stuntmen I talked to on the set say you can stand on the wrong foot and bend your leg, but here you have to do a completely complex trick. That’s why producers and directors often prohibit stunts; If something happens to the player, it will mean the end of the process. They didn’t let me do stunts on the set of “Holidays” but to be honest, I tried. Anything can happen, youthful maximalism will not succeed, that’s all. That’s why the stuntman profession exists.

— There are many projects adapted from Dostoyevsky’s novels in your filmography. How has your attitude towards Dostoyevsky changed as you got older? So who is your favorite Russian writer?

— In childhood, when everyone was forced to read Dostoevsky – I will emphasize what exactly they were forced to read – it did not work out for me at all. Later, as an adult, perhaps even before I made Demons, I began re-reading Dostoevsky, reading many of his works. I understand that he is a great writer, but I am not close to him because of his darkness. My favorite Russian writer is Gogol. I endlessly admire his style, his imagination, and his prophetic words.

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TNT press service

— Please tell us about the big historical movie currently being shot, “The Birth of an Empire.” At what stage is production?

— In this project about Peter the Great, I was approved for the role of Caesar Romodanovsky after the audition, but before the shooting started, probably about a month ago, I became seriously ill. I had to undergo treatment and I had to leave this role. Apparently, there’s a check mark somewhere that I’m still filming there.

— Do you generally like taking part in historical costume dramas and transforming into people of another era?

— Of course, this is very interesting, but unfortunately it also brings with it many professional difficulties, at least for me. The last historical project I played was “Grozny”, my character is Caesar, Alexey Basmanov. Oprichnik. The only thing I remember from the set is the incredible amount of make-up, make-up, beard… Walking around for 12 hours with a glued-on beard made of several pieces is truly unbearable. Every second someone pulls out glue, constantly sticking something, scratching his face… And big, big suits. Of course they are disturbed. Maybe he’s my age, it’s hard… Still, put a tape on your face and walk for, say, four hours, even if you don’t have a beard. Originality will begin!

— Did you have any difficulties with make-up in the movie “Flint”, which was released with your participation? Or maybe the large amount of graphics helped?

– No, I wore make-up, but I had very little beard. Overall “Ognivo” is a fairy tale and the costumes there are also amazing. A complete work of art. But shooting “Flint” was easy, I really enjoyed acting in this movie. My first fairy tale movie. I was so happy to be starring in a fairy tale that I didn’t even realize they gave me a beard. (laughs). The atmosphere on set was magical, great partners and a great director. I hope the audience will enjoy our work.

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Vitaly Khaev in a scene from the movie “Flint”

Press service of the STV film company

— Why do you think so many fairy tales are being filmed in Russia now?

— I am generally surprised that a boom in fairy tales is only now beginning in Russia, because in Russian folklore there is such a rich treasury of subjects for filming – you can shoot films endlessly. I’m glad we’re finally starting to do this. I don’t even know why they didn’t shoot it before. Although spectacular projects are often expensive, probably not everyone can achieve them and execute them well. Fairy tales have been present in our lives since childhood – a person has just been born and begins to feel, see, hear them because his mother reads fairy tales. Then we read these to our children and grandchildren. Fairy tales from our childhood prepare us for life and give us hope that everything will be fine.