The film Blonde centers on the city of Saint Petersburg, and the city itself feels like a character within the story. For a Saint Petersburg resident who took part in such a project, the experience carries a special resonance that blends home with cinema in a unique way.
Indeed, working in Saint Petersburg was a true privilege. Casting the project at home allowed time with family and offered a chance to breathe life into a city many consider the most beautiful in the world. The city’s landscapes and moods gave the production a lyrical, intimate quality, and the experience of shooting in Saint Petersburg has always held a meaningful place for the cast member.
The plot draws from a play of the same name by Alexander Volodin. His work has inspired celebrated films such as Autumn Marathon by Georgy Danelia and Do Not Part with Your Loved Ones by Pavel Arsenov. Reading the Blonde script, one might feel the immediacy of Volodin’s language, even as the adaptation updates its setting for modern audiences.
Listening to reflections on Volodin’s stagecraft feels like stepping into a long tradition. The director, Pavel Mirzoev, remained faithful to Volodin’s voice while letting the material speak to contemporary sensibilities. The themes remain vibrant, and the characters retain a strong sense of realism that keeps Volodin’s characters close to the viewer.
The question of Misha, the film’s central figure, invites consideration. He is a literature teacher who finds himself in a passionate, complicated relationship with the lead character. The actor notes that the portrayal is deeply entwined with the emotional history of the characters, including failed relationships seen through Misha’s eyes. Misha is a reserved individual, often keeping inner storms hidden from view, outwardly steady and determined to maintain footing in life even as he struggles internally.
When asked about collaborating with teammates on set, the actor describes the experience of sharing scenes with a talented partner who embodies the film’s heroine. The energy and focus of the partner elevate the performances, making the work feel like a genuine exchange of life and energy. Building mutual understanding with the cast turned into a meaningful creative bond, and friendships formed on these sets are cherished long after filming concludes.
Reflecting on the question of true friendship on set, the artist recalls how every project brings together people who become close through daily work from dawn to night. Naming one person feels almost impossible, as the camaraderie spans several colleagues. Still, a particular friendship stands out—an early collaboration on a TV series where two actors shared a trailer for weeks, learned about one another, and became lifelong friends. They continue to stay in touch, meeting when possible, a reminder of the human connections that deepen through shared work.
Filming Blonde required trying new things and adopting fresh approaches. One memorable moment involved delivering a classroom lecture about Anna Karenina to a fictional class in the movie. That scene revived memories of school days and the responsibility of guiding younger minds, a role that resonated with the actor who once taught English in primary school. The process became a meaningful learning experience, blending on-screen performance with real teaching instincts.
Being away from family for work is a recurring theme of life in cinema, and the subject naturally leads to questions about visits and returns to Saint Petersburg. The actor travels back whenever possible, bringing his wife and daughter to the city for visits. Most of the filming happens in Moscow and other regions, but Saint Petersburg remains a place to which the family is drawn. The commitment to work is strong, and the desire to remain connected to home remains a constant source of balance.
Another topic concerns participation in a media football team named Pure Petersburg. The actor explains that a busy schedule prevents full on-field involvement, yet he follows the team and supports its efforts. He believes that media football can spur sports growth across the country and would be thrilled to take the field for a match if circumstances allowed it. The enthusiasm for sport reflects a broader belief in the positive impact of athletic pursuits on culture.
In November, there was also an amateur hockey match tied to the movie Hockey Dads. The experience involved friends and fellow artists training together and forming what was effectively Saint Petersburg’s first acting hockey team. The day of the match brought joy and a sense of returning to childhood passions. The performers treated the event as a celebration of craft—each player a hero who demonstrates what actors can achieve in support of a new role.
The conversation then veers toward figure skating, an area where the actor has become closely associated in recent years through a television series that ran for multiple seasons. Favorite skaters are celebrated as sources of inspiration and drive. The achievements of Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov, Evgenia Medvedeva, and Ilya Averbukh are cited as milestones that have shaped the actor’s own journey in performance and sport alike.
Comparing ice performances with theatre presents a thoughtful reflection. Both forms demand precision, but the ice introduces an improvised element, making it more challenging for those not trained as skaters. The actor emphasizes a continual learning mindset, aiming to blend the energy of stage acting with the spontaneity of skating as a means to grow in both arenas.
During the Ice Age era, the actor briefly joined the team as a replacement figure and later continued to skate with partners, grateful for the opportunity and the guidance of a mentor who helped navigate the transition. When invited to reprise the show, the actor would be happy to participate again, recognizing the joy of performing at that level and the importance of maintaining athletic discipline in tandem with acting work.
The topic of personal life surfaces again with the actor’s daughter, who is growing up with a mix of curiosity and talent. Whether as a future actress, a skater, or perhaps pursuing a different calling, the decision will be hers to make. For now, the family supports exploration and values the chance to expose the child to a wide range of experiences, including a hands-on education that spans sports and the arts. The daughter attends kindergarten and participates in activities such as rock climbing, which speaks to a broad, active upbringing rather than a fixed path.
As the year turns, the family traditions come into focus. There is a light-hearted suggestion of re-watching Silver Skates or a nutcracker-themed project in which the narrator contributed a voice role. More importantly, there is a commitment to creating new family rituals—gathering to celebrate, sharing gifts, and prioritizing time together. The wish is universal: to cherish moments with loved ones and to make space for warmth, laughter, and connection during the holiday season and beyond.