Sergei Selyanov, a long-time collaborator with Alexei Balabanov since 1992, shares insights into the director’s distinctive filmmaking approach during an episode of Meanwhile on VK Video. He reveals the producer’s unique tricks and working habits that shaped Balabanov’s unmistakable cinematic voice.
Selyanov observes Balabanov’s habit of resisting early pressure to lock in project details. In the first three days of production, the director wrestled with doubt, and by day three or four, after roughly ten takes, he often admitted that what had been attempted did not feel essential. That moment of hesitation frequently triggered a decisive shift in his method.
From there, Balabanov embraced a one-take-at-a-time philosophy and was willing to swing to the other extreme. Some projects, including scenes from Brother, were captured in a single take. Rather than building a large material library, he edited in real time, cutting and refining on the fly to seize the moment as it existed.
The producer recalls that War underwent a five-shift editing process. Balabanov operated under a clear principle: a film could be considered complete once shooting concluded, with the edit serving as the final touch rather than a lengthy accumulation of footage.
Listeners will learn that the forthcoming broadcast features Sergei Selyanov in a segment scheduled to air on December 16. The conversation promises an inside view of Balabanov’s methods and the collaborative dynamics that defined his career.
Meanwhile, TV presenter Valdis Pelsh, who appeared in a small role in Balabanov’s Brother 2, recently reflected on his decision to participate without pay. He recalls a call from Balabanov requesting a modest part while noting there would be no monetary compensation, and Pelsh confirms that an agreement existed nonetheless. This anecdote highlights Balabanov’s practical mindset and his preference for building a team through relationships rather than salaries alone.
The broader reception of Balabanov’s work remains evident in recent recognitions, underscoring the impact of his filmmaking and the loyalty of audiences who appreciate his bold choices and distinctive voice in cinema.
At a glance, the episode offers an intimate glimpse into the tension between method and instinct that characterized Balabanov’s process, illustrating how doubt can become a catalyst for clarity. By tracing the trajectory from hesitation to decisive edits, viewers gain a sense of the rhythmic decisions that defined his films and the collaborative spirit that sustained them. This account positions Balabanov not only as a director with a singular aesthetic but as a practitioner who continually renegotiated the balance between planning and spontaneity in the pursuit of authentic storytelling. [Citation: Balabanov archive interview series]