Director Zhora Kryzhovnikov recently recalled a clash with actor Sergei Burunov over a parody, sharing the anecdote on her Instagram account. The dispute centered on a moment of creative tension that later evolved into a renewed collaboration, a path that underscored how professional relationships can pivot from friction to understanding in the world of comedy and satire.
The recollection begins with their meeting on the set of Big Difference, where Kryzhovnikov served as director and Burunov shone as a standout performer. A quarrel occurred during the shoot of a parody featuring Potap and Nastya, a moment that cast a temporary shadow over their working relationship. After a long period of no contact, both parties found a way to move past the disagreement and rebuild their working rapport. The director described the experience as a personal journey, noting that in the role of Marat’s father there is much that resonates with Kryzhovnikov herself, as well as memories of her own father. This layering of personal resonance added depth to the performances and helped shape the on-screen chemistry between the characters involved.
In the series The Boy’s Promise, Kryzhovnikov highlighted that every scene contains at least one line that echoes her own father’s voice or a sentiment she associates with him. The initial idea to cast Burunov in the role of Marat’s father seemed bold at first, but after a series of screen tests with Ruzil Minekaev and Ivan Yankovsky, the choice felt inevitable as a kind of magic finally clicked. The casting decision was validated as Burunov delivered performances that connected with the character on multiple emotional levels, bringing authenticity to the familial dynamics central to the story.
Andrei Zolotarev, who wrote A Boy’s Word, weighed in on the project’s reception, acknowledging an early sense that the film could achieve notable success but expressing surprise at the scale it eventually reached. While he spoke about the overall trajectory with guarded optimism, he did not reveal a definitive plot conclusion. There was discussion about continuing the narrative, suggesting that the universe surrounding the main characters might extend into two additional seasons, exploring further arcs and relationships that fans might anticipate. His perspective reflected both ambition and prudent restraint, emphasizing that the story’s evolution would depend on creative developments and audience reception rather than a fixed blueprint.
The discussion around the project also touched on public and media narratives about the cast, including remarks from Tikhon Zhiznevsky regarding his relationships within the cast and with key roles such as Major Thunder. These clarifications helped set the tone for how the ensemble was navigating their professional connections, while underscoring the collaborative nature of a series built on evolving character dynamics and shared challenges on screen.