– Was it difficult for you to get used to the role of soldier Maryam Shapiro in the TV series “Balabol”?
– My hero represents Israeli special forces. These are special people with special training, they even act differently, they hold different weapons in their hands, they use different military equipment. This was the main challenge.
We set aside some time for physical education. At first, I thought all the tricks would be easy for me as a dance person. But it wasn’t. Martial arts are a completely different story. Over time, of course, I got used to Meryem, her behavior, her fighting style. However, it didn’t get much easier, because every fight, every scene of a gunfight is always a danger to ourselves and our shooting partners.
– Which scenes take more power and emotion from you – fights-conflicts or dramatic ones?
I wouldn’t compare. Fights and gunfights are a purely physical story where you can accidentally injure yourself or your partner, it’s a different degree of tension and responsibility. Of course, there are other emotionally intense scenes that just can’t get away. My hero finds himself in a foreign land with new realities for himself, as each episode transcends itself.
– Despite the external fragility, you often play strong heroines – often “non-female” professions, the same law enforcement. Why do you think this is?
– I always ask myself a similar question, because these are women who are far from me. You have very accurately noted that in the last five years I have been offered an army, even playing a general in a project. It seems that the issue is in the external data, my psychotype.
I recently played a police lieutenant colonel. We often shot in crowded places, on sets and in parks. Whenever I went out in public wearing a uniform, I felt how people reacted to me differently. They did not realize that before them was an actress. They saw a “police” walking and immediately began to behave differently, more cultured. I loved feeling the power in my hands. You have to ask the directors why they associate me with strong women, but I was still proud.
Are there any projects you regret taking part in?
– There is no such project and I hope it will not. I am very careful when choosing the material presented to me.
Which job are you most proud of?
– Everyone. I don’t have any transitional roles. I work 100% even if the portion is very small. That’s how I was taught, I don’t know how to do otherwise. I have a Vakhtangov school, even at the theater institute they put me: each role is the main one. Each of my roles is the life I live, my emotions, my nervous system. Of course, there are projects that are on the rise and become people’s favourites. But I’m just as proud of them as I am of the unpopular. They are no less valuable to me.
Which projects were the most difficult for you?
– I took on the role of a drug addicted woman in the TV series “Village Romance”. It was difficult to play it. These are mentally ill, unhealthy people, all their reactions are exaggerated. It is naturally extremely difficult to portray this in the frame. I am very grateful to director Vitaly Babenko and my partner Anton Makarsky. They understood how difficult the material was, encouraged me in every possible way, praised and commented. If something did not go well, we left the stage the next day and rehearsed in addition.
In the TV series “Gülçatay”. For the sake of love” I played a major of the Ministry of Emergencies. We filmed scenes of various disasters in the midst of Abkhazian ruins. I don’t know how now, but then Abkhazia was completely destroyed. You are standing on a destroyed house, below you – an incredible height, a step to the right or a step to the left – you will fail. It was very scary, but we survived, we filmed, no injuries.
Another difficult story is “12 months. New fairy tale. This is exactly one meter, the shooting took place in the Czech Republic. Fairy tale is a very complex genre. When you come across such material, you get confused. You want to surrender but are afraid to go too far because the camera sees everything. We learned to exist in the frame during the shooting process. The main thing here is to feel the pulse. And then everything will go like clockwork, you will enjoy the process.
– You act more in TV series than movies. Is there a tangible difference between the filmmaking process and TV projects?
– As such, there is no difference. In the past, we could afford a more comfortable feature film mode. Today, roughly speaking, 1-2 of a TV project. A movie is shot in the same 20 days as its episodes. Yes, and the level of array visible in both picture quality and material is rising great. Therefore, you are a serial actor or a feature actor – it is already stupid to distinguish.
– The series “Don’t Be Born Beautiful”. Your acting career began with him, he glorified you, brought you together with the father of your sons, gave lovers. Why do you think this project was “hit” so strongly at the time and people’s love for it has not faded after all these years?
– This is a very kind and true story about a girl who can achieve everything on her own. You always want to bring that into your life. If she can do it, so can I. Also, it’s very exciting to watch. I remember back then the heyday of the cop dramas and our “Don’t Be Born Beautiful” was a ray of goodness. As pioneers of the genre, we hooked the audience with the sincerity, kindness and simplicity of the story of a girl who turns from an “ugly duckling” to a company president and marries the man of her dreams. Such is the psychology of women. We all want to believe that each of us will have such a fairy tale in reality, that we will achieve success in our career and personal life. This series is so promising that this is the secret of its success.
– Many players are upset that they are associated with any popular project. Are you offended by associations with Vika Klochkova?
– No, what are you, besides, there are less and less. At one time I was often told that I was an actress in the TV series “Kitchen”, but I had a very small role there. The young man came running up to me: “You… You…” I thought what they would call “Don’t be born beautiful”, but no: “You’re from the kitchen.”
I am very happy when I am associated with my roles. That’s how it should be, there’s nothing wrong with that. Well, if Vika Klochkova is still relevant, I am doubly happy. Many years have passed and me and my hero are still in people’s memories. What’s the point of this? So the role was a success!
– Would you accept an offer for the continuation of Beautiful Born?
– You probably know, yes. Of course, it all depends on what kind of story it is, but I’m also interested in looking back at our heroes almost 20 years later. If the writers are writing a really good story then why not, that’s great. I’ve always enjoyed watching sequels, sometimes they’re even more interesting than the show. In general, I just let them invite! I think anyone who has participated in this series will rejoice in this story with great pleasure.
– Besides the cinema, you act in the theater. What is the difference between them for you?
– These types cannot be compared at all. In cinema, an actor’s faults may be “covered” in editing, some close-ups, music, footage or whatever. You can radically change your character and add other words and intonations during the voiceover stage. Cinema is magic. And in the theater the actor is one-on-one with the audience, it is impossible to “cover” him. If you make a mistake, the audience will see it. If you’re depressed too. About the here and now. No matter what, you have to play your part. Whatever happens in the world, in your family, in your environment, you go on stage and tell a story.
I think that the actor is obliged to work both in the cinema and in the theatre. This gives you the opportunity to unlock your professional potential. The more you play in the theater, the easier it will be for you in the cinema. I am often asked what is closer to me, but I cannot unequivocally answer this question. I cannot imagine my life without cinema or theatre. I am for harmony.
– You have two sons, the eldest wants to be an actor. Now that you know all the difficulties of the profession, have you thought of dissuading you and his father Ivan from this venture?
– We do not deter, but try to explain all the traps. We’ve both been in the business for many years (Ivan’s father, actor Grigory Antipenko, the lead actor in Born Beautiful; note from socialbites.ca), we’ve seen a lot. As parents we have an obligation to do so, but we are obliged to deter – in no case. I am very grateful to my family for not deterring me from anything, just supporting me in my choice. The most important thing for me is that my child is absolutely happy in his profession.
I’m trying to show Vanya the other side of acting. For example, I tell you that artists may not be in demand – this fate leaves behind 90% of graduates of theater institutes. Of course, he sees how we act in movies, perform at premieres, give interviews on television. It fascinates him. But it’s different and no one knows how things will turn out for him.
What about your youngest son?
– Fedya wanted to become a guitarist, but he has been thinking about a career as a volleyball player for a year. I don’t want my child to associate his life with professional sports. Sports ends quickly, sports careers do not last long, then it is just a coaching job. That’s what I’m talking about. But if he still decides to become a volleyball player despite my arguments, I will support him, what can I say.
Are you a strict mom?
– My dream is to be friends with my sons. The worst for me is when my kids start hiding things from me, starting to do things on the sly. I’m afraid of this. For this reason, I try not to scold them or impose any sanctions when they have difficulties. Together we will understand why this happens so that they are not afraid to share everything with me.
I told them in what situation I called my father when they were little. They immediately went to bed or bought a book. The absolute authority for them today is the father. If there are questions they can’t ask me, they turn to him. They consult him on men’s affairs. It’s great that they feel protected and supported within him.
– In one of the interviews, you said that over the years you have become more demanding of the opposite sex. What did you want to say?
– As we get older, it gets harder and harder to find a soul mate because life makes us all tired, our own space, a comfort zone, appears. It is worth letting another person in there – one way or another it will collapse. If one person is the same as you mentally and you fit together, that’s great, a healthy union can come out of it.
The older you get, the less likely you are to compromise. And on the contrary, somewhere you start to turn a blind eye to what you previously thought was unacceptable. You are more realistic about your partner. The veil of youthful charm comes down and you can see better.