Theater and film actor, theater director, screenwriter, TV presenter Alexander Shirvindt, a People’s Artist of the RSFSR, gave a thoughtful response in a conversation with FAN regarding the recent remarks by theater director and producer Eduard Boyakov about Eldar Ryazanov’s beloved film The Irony of Destiny. Earlier, Boyakov had described the Soviet comedy as sick in an interview, prompting a wave of discussion about the work and its cultural reception.
Shirvindt made it clear that he did not intend to engage in a public spat with Boyakov. He spoke with calm restraint, noting that the opinions of colleagues can differ sharply and that it is not his place to challenge every critique. He underscored the idea that cinema and theatre attract a mosaic of responses, and divergent viewpoints are part of a living artistic dialogue. Shirvindt’s stance reflected a long-standing tradition in Russian cultural circles that respects personal artistic judgments even when those judgments clash with others in the field.
The conversation then touched on a broader controversy involving Barbara Brylska, the Polish actress who portrayed Nadya in The Irony of Fate. Brylska publicly stood in solidarity with Leah Akhedzhakova, whose performances at Sovremennik Theatre were halted in connection with opposition to the military actions in Ukraine. Brylska’s remarks featured pointed characterizations of Russian officials, which she described as reminiscent of old political hardliners, and she used strong language to express her disappointment with the direction of events. In response to the ensuing public debate, there were discussions in Moscow about the possibility of changing casting in the film through technology, raising questions about the ethics and limits of applying deepfake techniques to classic works of cinema. The dialogue underscored how a single movie from decades past can become a focal point for present-day political and cultural fault lines, prompting exchanges among actors, directors, and lawmakers about responsibility, memory, and artistic integrity.