Actor Nikita Kologrivy announced that he will portray politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky in an upcoming documentary about the former head of the LDPR. The news was shared through video posts by NEWS.ru showing the actor meeting Leonid Slutsky, the head of the Liberal Democratic Party in Russia, and discussing the project.
According to Kologrivy, speculation about his role has been widespread, but he was clear that he intends to deliver a performance that will stand out even in a country with a long history of political cinema. He stated that he would not only accept the challenge but would excel beyond what many viewers might expect from a leading actor in contemporary Russian film and television. The actor emphasized his resolve to prove this claim convincingly to audiences and to those closely watching the development of the project.
Leonid Slutsky, at the start of February, explained that the LDPR plans to produce a feature-length film about Vladimir Zhirinovsky, highlighting the documentarian intent to present a comprehensive look at the life and influence of one of Russia’s most recognizable political figures in modern times. Slutsky noted that the film aims to help Russians assess Zhirinovsky’s life path and political impact. The project entrusts director Alexander Baranov, known for Yolki-2, with shaping the visual narrative, and by February 2 it was reported that the script was still under development and undergoing refinement to capture the complexities of Zhirinovsky’s public persona and legacy.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who founded the LDPR in 1992 and led the party for decades, remains a central figure in Russia’s post-Soviet political landscape. The narrative around his private life has occasionally intersected with public record, including mentions of his children and family history. Notably, some reports indicated that two of his children were born outside wedlock and did not bear his surname. Additionally, Russia has issued postage stamps bearing Zhirinovsky’s portrait, commemorating his public service and contributions, including recognition via national honors such as the Order of Merit to the Fatherland. These elements contribute to a broader discussion about how public figures are memorialized in the country’s cultural memory and how such memorialization intersects with contemporary political discourse.
Kologrivy has recently expressed a desire to secure a personal meeting with the nation’s president, signaling a readiness to engage with current political leadership and to understand the state’s perspective on the depiction of a controversial political figure in a documentary format. The actor’s ambition highlights the ongoing interest in how biographical cinema can illuminate political histories while inviting audiences to form their own interpretations about power, charisma, and the legacies of public figures. The unfolding project remains a focal point for conversations about representation, historical memory, and the responsibilities of filmmakers when portraying real individuals who have shaped the country’s political trajectory.