"Americans know Balabanov and Bro — this is also a phenomenon for them"
The documentary "Brother Forever" about the famous dilogy of Alexei Balabanov, which will be released on wide screens on October 30, opened the New Season festival in Sochi. The film was shot by Anna and Grigory Selyanov (the son of the producer of "Brother" and "Brother 2" Sergey Selyanov). The authors of the film told about Danila Bagrov's bench in Chicago, the Americans' interest in Russian cinema, as well as why it is impossible to continue "Brother" in an exclusive interview with Izvestia before the premiere.
"There are very stylish photos of all these American prostitutes"
— Research suggests answers. What advice do you give when you study the phenomenon of Balabanov's dilogy, and what materials help you in this?
Anna Selyanova: This is a journey not only into the history of making films, but also into childhood, where new facets of iconic figures, in particular, director Balabanov, are opening up. It was interesting to see and show, first of all, what kind of people they were — very subtle, sensitive, vulnerable. It was an opportunity for me to discover the adult world in a new way. Grow up with them.
Grigory Selyanov: The film was largely due to Nadia Vasilyeva (costume designer of the paintings "Brother" and "Brother 2", the widow of Alexei Balabanov. — Ed.). We went to Balabanov's dacha with her, chatted in St. Petersburg, and traveled all over America. She hadn't been there for 25 years, so there were a lot of emotions, and we lived them together with her. It turned out that Nadia took a thousand photos during the filming of "Brother 2". A bunch of films were practically untouched all this time, with the exception of some individual copies. There are very stylish photos of all these American prostitutes who starred in the film, like in cool European magazines. We used a lot of this in our work.
I was recently asked about the place of power, and now a bench in Chicago comes to mind, where Sergei Bodrov's character was waiting for his brother in the rain. It was an incredible feeling! She's all covered in some kind of rock art: "Brother," "What's the power, brother?", the names of cities. It was great to be there with Nadia, and also with Petya Balabanov.
A shot from the movie "Brother-2"
— Do Americans understand what kind of place this is?
Anna Selyanova: Of course! They know who Balabanov is, they know his films. This is also a definite phenomenon for them. When we talked to the locals, they were curious to know our opinion. It got there in a very natural way, not to mention that film schools in America study Balabanov's films, watch "Brother" and "Brother 2" to explore the phenomenon of Russian gangsters.
Grigory Selyanov: We had a driver there, a simple Chicago guy. He listened to "Civil Defense" while driving and said that the first thing he saw in college was "Brother" and he was just torn.
"This is the first sincere dialogue with my father for me"
— Grigory, did your father Sergey Selyanov, who was a producer of the films "Brother" and "Brother 2", watch the doc?
Grigory Selyanov: I looked at it, but since I warned him that the painting was personal, he did not give any emotional assessments. There were a couple of constructive comments that could be redone in terms of the approach to cinema. I'm sure he was pleased, because after three or four days he called me all the time and we talked for half an hour about some kind of professional things, but it was clear to me that this was a kind of expression of love and maybe gratitude.
Of course, for me, this job is in many ways about the relationship with him, about adopting a surname, about personal maturation in the industry. This is the first sincere dialogue with my father and with all the people of the older generation, who used to be just adults for me, but now they have become those whose ideas I want to carry on.
Directed by Anna and Grigory Selyanov
— The agenda periodically included stuffing about the filming of "Brother 3". How appropriate do you think this is today and is it possible?
Anna Selyanova: It's impossible and inappropriate. These are speculations that you don't want to waste energy on.
Grigory Selyanov: Stas Boretsky offered to be the director of "Brother 3". I replied to him very politely that, unfortunately, I could not take on such responsibility. Seriously, how's it going? When Seryozha is not there, especially Lyosha, it is impossible. There is a time for everything. It was then, it remains relevant now, and there is nothing more to add.
A shot from the movie "Brother-2"
— I think no one will argue with the fact that the success of the film is largely due to Sergei Bodrov, still called the main character of Russian cinema, and his character Danila Bagrov, who resonates with the audience. In your opinion, is there such a hero of our time in modern cinema?
Anna Selyanova: There are a lot of requests now. We live in an information space where there is a very fast flow, a lot of community, and a lot of problems. Then there was only one request — justice, so such a hero appeared. They believed him, they loved him. There are too many different things now and the characters should be different.
Grigory Selyanov: Our time does not create such a challenge, which could be answered by such a hero. Plus, there is a combination of circumstances that such people met then. Maybe there aren't any now. These are difficult philosophical questions, and the answers to them will also be rhetorical. Everything is possible.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
