The Artistic Perspective on Truth-Telling and Manipulation in Acting
The director behind the series Leave and Peace! Friendship! Gum! has described lying and manipulation not as faults but as essential tools for an actor. Ilya Aksenov argues that mastering these abilities should be part of formal training in film schools because they enable performers to inhabit characters with credibility and nuance.
He notes that many people resist the idea of lying and manipulating on screen, clinging to a self-image of constant goodness. Yet the craft reveals a different reality: a skilled performer who understands manipulation can respond to others with precision and objectivity, using those techniques to serve the story rather than personal gain. Aksenov emphasizes that true professionals learn to deploy these tools responsibly, avoiding selfish motives while maintaining integrity in their work.
The director also observes that behind several high-profile projects are groups with a shared interest in exploiting a character’s position for personal advantage. In his view, the effective manipulation portrayed on screen is never a license for real-world harm; it is a narrative device that helps audiences suspend disbelief and engage with the plot on a deeper level.
To Aksenov, manipulation and acting share a fundamental common ground: both rely on presenting a convincing perception that resonates with viewers. A believable lie in a scene is a testament to a performer’s craft and a director’s vision, crafted to illuminate motive, tension, and emotion without eroding trust with the audience.
Ilya Aksenov began his career as a member of the Sega Mega Drive 16-bit KVN team, a group that competes in the KVN Major League and is known for quick wit and improvisational prowess. In 2015, he completed his studies at VKSR with a degree in Feature Film Directing. His filmography includes Relatives, Kvnshchiki, Drop, Peace! Friendship! Gum!, and Filatov. Each project reflects his interest in how characters navigate power dynamics, deception, and human vulnerability across different settings and genres. This body of work demonstrates a consistent curiosity about how truthful portrayals of manipulation can illuminate ethical choices and character development for viewers in North America and beyond. [citation: production credits and director interviews]