– What will Fedor experience in the comedy Yolki 9?
– The character known for his kind, naive heart is torn between friends and his girlfriend on New Year’s Eve. This continues the arc from the eighth film in the Christmas Trees set. He has grown a bit, started dating a girl for six months, and now faces a dilemma about how to celebrate the holiday. The portrayal keeps the essence of a gentle, earnest soul while placing him in a fresh, emotionally charged situation that tests his loyalties and values.
– Are there similarities between this Fedor and the earlier, kind, naive Fyodor?
– Not really. The current Fedor is not defined by kindness in the same way; the traits differ enough that the comparison feels off. The focus here is on growth and the tensions of a man trying to balance affection, friendship, and personal choices on a pivotal night.
Where and when did the production take place?
– Filming began in the spring, in a village in the Leningrad region near Karelia. The early short story sequences featured Fedor Dobronravov and Misha Orlov. After that, production moved to Moscow and continued through the spring, keeping a tight schedule as the season warmed up.
– Were there any on-set difficulties? Was there still snow?
– The main challenge was melting snow. It had to be gathered from fields with bulldozers for continuity. The shoot required an expedition beyond Moscow and stretched the actors’ schedules, but the team kept pushing forward and solved issues as they arose.
— Any memorable non-standard moments from the expedition?
– There was a moment when the crew lagged behind in Karelia. They arranged the arrival of Fedor on a snowmobile, and the team pressed on with additional takes. The scene involving Misha Orlov and the bear remained to be shot, and the actor and the writer were involved in filming that moment. The bear scene carried a particular mix of excitement and tension, given the unpredictable nature of working with wildlife.
Was it intimidating to work with a bear?
– Yes. Once the bear enters the set, nerves rise among everyone. The actor was present for playback while the crew coordinated interactions, and there was a real willingness to approach the moment if it proved safe. There was a home-video moment with Regina, Evgeny’s wife, where the bear was brought to an apartment. Regina fed it and held its hand, a reminder that even when a creature feels trained, an inner fear can still show up on set.
How did the shooting pace feel? Was there time for camaraderie and downtime?
– Free time was scarce. The schedule was packed, with constant tasks and many shots to complete in a short window. Yet the collaboration with seasoned actors was genuinely enjoyable, turning the long hours into a working, supportive atmosphere.
— Did the cast watch the earlier Yolki films? Did the series resonate with them?
– Honestly, the actor wasn’t a big fan of Yolki at first. About a decade ago he watched some of the early installments and caught BadComedian’s critiques, which prompted reflection. He feels the team strived to address the feedback in this installment, aiming to refine the tone and craft.
– Did he ever imagine being the screenwriter and starring in Christmas Trees?
– Not at that time. He was far from cinema and had other paths in mind before the world of film found him.
– Returning from Yekaterinburg, where the film was presented to friends and family, how does he feel about hometown visits?
– He cherishes every return to Yekaterinburg. Friends and relatives come to see what his year has produced, and those moments reinforce the sense of belonging to his roots while continuing to grow as an artist.
– How has maintaining friendships evolved since becoming a public figure?
– Some friendships endure just as before, grounded in shared history and mutual support. Those connections remain important as life becomes busier and visibility increases.
— What’s the story behind meeting in Yekaterinburg? Do hometown shoots and appearances come up frequently?
– They often appear in Nizhny Novgorod, a place with a strong fan base for his work, where locals still celebrate his projects. In Yekaterinburg, a village near his parents’ cottage is a common stop, though visits are shorter. When he’s in town, family remains a priority alongside work, blending personal moments with professional commitments.
– A second child has joined the family. How does he balance intense creative work with fatherhood?
– It’s challenging, but his wife’s support makes it manageable. He spends a lot of time at home when not on set, and during shoots a period of focused, limited travel follows, keeping him near family as much as possible.
Do he and his partner ever write scripts at home?
– Yes. He keeps a working space at home where Dima Baluev visits for collaboration. They sit, brainstorm, and develop ideas in a familiar, productive environment.
– How does looking at his son feel now that parenting is part of life?
– Looking at the boy is a revelation. It takes time to adjust to a new reality, with moments of joy and humor shared with Sofia, his older daughter. The little one is lively, and the whole family dynamic brings a fresh energy to his life.
– The son bears the same name as Yolki’s hero. Was that deliberate or a coincidence?
– It started as a playful preference. Regina liked the name Fedor, and he agreed. It happened spontaneously and felt right for the family’s story.
– Is there room for dramatic roles, or is comedy the main path now?
– A dramatic role isn’t the primary interest, though drama and tragicomedy hold appeal. Their project Two on the KION network is an example of a dramatic tone within a broader comedic oeuvre. He generally prefers projects he writes himself, while remaining open to different genres, including comedy.
– What’s he working on currently?
– Yolki has just wrapped, followed by a brief rest. Plans are already in motion for another feature, with writing underway for a new script. Filming is expected to begin in the spring, though details stay under wraps for now.
— Is KVN still a point of reference? After ten years, has the humor landscape changed?
– He doesn’t keep up with KVN these days, but notes that humor has become sharper and more pointed. Censorship isn’t a topic he follows closely, since he doesn’t watch the show. He jokes freely about topics he enjoys, staying true to his own voice.
— What about provocations in humor?
– Provocation belongs to the early career stage when an artist seeks attention. Once success is achieved, restraint matters more. Provocation is easy, but crafting gentle, bright humor without offense is far more challenging. Those with heavy baggage often avoid crossing lines.
– Will the Golos KVN team return to the scene with humor on a platform like TikTok?
– It’s hard to say how things would have gone differently. The format at the time shaped the project, and the pathway now might look different, depending on opportunities and audience tastes.
– Have other teams started imitating the voices of the group?
– The Fiztekh team mirrored them at first, then shifted to other themes. It’s a natural part of a competitive scene, and though there were misses, it didn’t dampen the experience or the journey.
– Did he ever dream of becoming an actress while performing in KVN?
– He started in KVN while working as an interior designer, not with a plan to become a performer. The moment someone spotted him, a casting call for the TNT project Island led to a path into acting. Sketch work on Instagram followed before the journey broadened into film and television.
– And now has sketch work largely stopped?
– A major film project consumes most days. Rest becomes scarce since Yolki carries a decade of fan expectation. Completing the film becomes a priority, and every free moment is dedicated to finishing it well.
– Does this pace suit him, or would he like a simpler rhythm?
– It’s a demanding rhythm, with stress a constant companion. Still, he does his best and stays focused on delivering the best possible work.
— What are plans for winding down after the film’s presentation?
– He’s considering a retreat to his parents’ cottage near Yekaterinburg, a quiet place to recharge and reconnect with home after the press tour and premiere events.