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- The Oscar was considered a benchmark until it turned into the Regional Committee Award
The Oscar was considered a benchmark until it turned into the Regional Committee Award
Nikita Mikhalkov, one of the main Russian film directors, who has dozens of films under his belt, including the Oscar-winning drama "Tired of the Sun," celebrates his 80th birthday on October 21 and firmly declares that he has not said everything yet. Nikita Sergeyevich spoke about the impulse from God, the officer's brotherhood and his son's first letter from the army, as well as why the Oscar had lost its status as a standard in an interview with Izvestia.
"When you work for bonuses, they are never enough"
— You have directed many wonderful films, which have been awarded various awards, including the Oscar. In your opinion, is it possible to draw a line now, or do you, as a director, still have topics worth talking about with the audience?
— The theme of any painting is life. If you stick to one topic and wait for it to be implemented, it may turn out that you will never be given it. Like any other person, I'm interested in a variety of things. You start to focus on something, and as a result it can turn into a play, a movie, or a story. And to answer your question about the outcome or the line, you know, I'm not burdened by the burden of what I've done. I take it easy. And, I must say, I don't feel like I've said everything.
Nikita Mikhalkov is the winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film for the film Tired of the Sun, and his daughter Nadia is the performer of one of the main roles in this film, with an Oscar statuette
— How does creative search work? Is life itself telling you, or are you feeling around, trying to experiment, so that you can make an interesting movie later?
— This is such an inexplicable process! The plot may be born out of a sunset, or it may be born out of a story you've read, like "Tired of the Sun." This film originated from a single impulse that arose after reading Arkady Gaidar's wonderful short story "The Blue Cup." Moreover, there is nothing from the story itself in the picture, but there is an atmosphere. Yes, then a script is written, a shooting plan is developed, and a certain alignment is created. But it's not just because of this that the artwork is built. The impulse is from God.
— Many people perceive the Oscar as a sign of quality, the whole world is watching the award. What does it take for a film award of the same scale to appear in Russia?
— I really hope that the Diamond Butterfly of the Eurasian Academy, which was established this year, will be able to become the film award that evaluates a work of art based on its artistic qualities, and not on politics. The Oscar was considered a benchmark until it turned into the Regional Committee Award.
Presentation of the Open Eurasian Film Award "Diamond Butterfly"
— And what has always been important to you — for your work to be a commercial success or to produce a work of art?
— When you work for bonuses, they are never enough. At some point, the process will become more important than the result. And if for you cinema is not just a profession, but what you live by, what you breathe, then only in this case can a work of art arise. Of course, you make movies for others, for the audience. It's both good and nice to be watched and watched a lot. But I've never seized on a topic just because "she's going to shoot now, and I need to do it."
"When I was expelled because of filming, I climbed out the window — we were putting on a play"
— What influenced your formation as a director? The genetic code, teachers?
— It's quite strange to list everything: it's education, the atmosphere in the house, Russian literature, theater school, and so on. When I was studying at the Shchukin College, I wanted to direct. Moreover, even when I was expelled because of filming, I climbed out the window - we staged a play, which first became an independent work, then a thesis. It was something that had warmed and interested me since childhood — while still in school, I began to pursue acting professionally in the Stanislavsky Theater Studio.
— Are you more of an actor or a director at heart? And does one thing help the other?
— When you work as a director, you are convinced that you will play better than any actor. When you work as an actor, you are convinced that you will make a better film than any director. It's good where we're not. But, of course, knowledge of the acting craft helps in directing, understanding how this mechanism works, arousing certain emotions. Then you can help the actor, show him. It's good when you can do it. By the way, it's harder for an actor to deceive you if he's not playing correctly.
Nikita Mikhalkov as Kotov on the set of the movie "Tired of the Sun-2"
— Do you show how it should be?
"Always."
—Does it work?"
— As you can see! (He smiles.)
— How much does the atmosphere on the set depend on the director? How do you create it — on purpose or does it come from within?
— The atmosphere is generally the most important thing. If your working day starts with the word "motor" and ends with the word "stop", it means that directing is a profession for you, not a life. And directing is my whole life. In the family — directing, in the country — directing, in the world — directing. And what is directing? Creating an atmosphere! The group that works with you is a family. If you can't make everyone feel like they're the creators of your painting, then you won't have a family. Everyone in their place should not only understand what they are doing, but also that they are an artist, they are the creator of your painting. This is fundamentally important.
"When could I have imagined that I would end up in Kamchatka, and even at government expense?"
— Tell me, such a milestone in your life as serving in the army, was it your desire to repay the debt to the Motherland? Or did you expect something else from her? Did she help you create images of the military, or maybe she gave you a new understanding of life?
— When could I have imagined that I would end up in Kamchatka, and even at government expense? And it was my desire to go there! I think the army has given me a lot. And I am sure that a man who lives in our country should go through the army. This is the structure of a relationship — on the one hand, it seems to be unfreedom, and on the other, on the contrary, amazing freedom from the fact that there is an answer to any question.: "They'll build it, they'll tell you."
Director Nikita Mikhalkov on the set
It is also an understanding of the importance of the army and officer fraternity for a large country. This is important, so I sent my eldest son to serve for three years in the maritime border guards. And when he sent me the first letter, there was a phrase that showed me that everything was fine. He texted: "You know, it's amazing: I found out that wool socks can be more important than the two-cassette Sharp that I asked you to buy." And I realized that he was on the right track.
— Do you consider yourself a happy person? Was everything that developed for the good?
— I believe that for a believer, the principle is: thank you, Lord, for everything. And I am grateful to God for everything.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
