Chulpan Khamatova, the renowned Russian actress, performed the role of a deaf mute at the New Riga Theatre in Latvia, according to aif.ru citing local media outlets. The upcoming production marks a unique collaboration, with Alvis Hermanis directing a stage adaptation of Land of the Deaf for NRT. The premiere is slated for November 14 in the Little Hall, featuring a Latvian-language stage version in which Khamatova revisits her connection to the 1998 film Land of the Deaf, a project that helped establish her early fame.
In the 1997 project Country of the Deaf, inspired by Renata Litvinova’s Have and Belong, Khamatova portrayed a hearing character named Dina Korzun Rita, a deaf-mute woman named Yaya. The film earned several Best Actress nominations and accolades for Korzun, underscoring the strong performances that have characterized Khamatova’s career across different mediums.
In February 2023, the New Riga Theatre decided to cancel the production Gogolis.Nature Morte, which featured Khamatova in the lineup. The theatre described the decision as a creative setback, noting that such outcomes can occur in both theatre and life. The episode added to the ongoing narrative of artistic risk and revival that shapes contemporary theatre in the region.
Beyond these specific engagements, Khamatova has remained a prominent figure in Russian film and stage, consistently drawing audiences with performances that blend emotional depth and technical precision. Her work has contributed significantly to the cross-cultural exchange between Russian cinema and Baltic theatre, illustrating how actors navigate international collaborations while pursuing challenging roles. The Latvian stage project reflects a broader interest in exploring disability, communication, and identity through performance, offering audiences a chance to witness a live interpretation of a story originally told on screen. Critics and fans alike have followed her career with interest, recognizing her ability to adapt to new languages and theatrical styles while preserving the intensity that marks her screen work.