"It is difficult for artificial intelligence to compete with live art"
The acting profession will never disappear, because there is a theater where artificial intelligence is not a competitor to the artist, Sergei Bezrukov believes. Sergei Zhukov is preparing one of the premieres at the Moscow Provincial Theater, which he directs. It will be a musical about the Great Patriotic War. The People's Artist of Russia spoke about his collaboration with the musician, as well as about the filming of the film "August" based on the novel by Vladimir Bogomolov, where Sergei Bezrukov played Captain Alekhine, the prophetic words of Roman Madyanov and the best role of Nikita Kologrivy in an exclusive interview with Izvestia.
"This is Nikita Kologrivy's best work in cinema at the moment"
— The screening of the movie "August" has begun in cinemas. This is not the first film adaptation of Vladimir Bogomolov's novel. It is known that the author did not like the previous version, directed by Mikhail Ptashuk, created more than 20 years ago. How would he rate your film?
— The author is no longer alive, so it's pointless to ask. "August" is primarily a script by Sergei Snezhkin. And any variation is a separate work. Therefore, the picture will be interesting both to fans of Vladimir Bogomolov's novel and to young people who, most likely, have not read the book or watched the previous film adaptation. It's a new movie for them. This is really a wonderful action-packed military detective. And even for those who know the ending, it will be interesting to follow us detectives who are on the trail of enemy intelligence and trying to get to the truth. To reach that very moment of truth.
A shot from the movie "August"
The most important thing is that there are people here. I liked that "August" was compared to Sergei Fedorovich Bondarchuk's painting "They Fought for the Motherland." Such a comparison is worth a lot. Sergei Fedorovich's film, on the one hand, impresses with the scale of filming. On the other hand, it amazes with the human destinies that are spelled out in the very work of Mikhail Sholokhov. These are the faces, eyes, stories of each of them and the stunning images of Vasily Shukshin, Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Yuri Nikulin, Georgy Burkov, Ivan Lapikov. After all, people make a victory. We always say pathetically that the army has won. But there are specific people behind it, soldiers: from the junior staff to the generals. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to each character.
— Tell us about your hero, Captain Alyokhin.
— Captain Alekhine is a rural intellectual. He was assigned to identify spies among his own. He is responsible for the entire operation. It's a psychologically very scary job. It requires tremendous endurance and restraint.
A shot from the movie "August"
I can't help but mention the partners, the acting ensemble here is amazing. Nikita Kologrivy created a very vivid image of Evgeny Tamantsev. He does a lot of acting, he's in demand, but I think this is his best film work at the moment. It really turned out to be bright, very dramatic, with a powerful intensity of emotions. Pavel Tabakov plays the Moscow intellectual Andrei Blinov, who knows the forest from walks in peacetime with his parents in the country. And, of course, General Egorov performed by Roman Madyanov — he deserves a separate monologue of gratitude. He's gone, but he stays with us forever.
— This is his last movie job.
— Yes, and what kind. He created the image of a very strong man: humorous, tough and powerful at the same time, who is ready to sacrifice himself and lead the attack. His character energetically supports the painting. It's not just a function, but a person. And the message he left us in the painting, "Live long and as happily as possible," sounds prophetic. This phrase gets into each of us, it is impossible to look without tears. It's like he's addressing everyone alive today.
The image of the forest is of great importance in the painting. He exists here as a living character. And we see that each character reveals internal psychological wilds in which people are trying to find themselves.
— As an actor, did you also have to transfer personal experiences to the screen?
— They are here, of course. It's a feeling when you have to choose — duty or personal. My hero is writing a report to be given a vacation. It is very important for him to go to his sick daughter. Actually, the fact that she got sick was his fault — he didn't bother in time so that the family would have firewood in the cold. Of course, Alyokhin blames himself. But he needs to solve a combat problem and cope with himself, with his personal experiences. It's incredibly difficult. But you have to give up something and sacrifice yourself for the sake of duty, if necessary.
A shot from the movie "August"
We're not talking about heroism here, and yet it reads. Alekhine, Tamantsev, Blinov, Khizhnyak — they are all heroes without big words, without pathos. They don't realize that they become them when they go into the woods, almost like suicide bombers. Because at the cost of your life, you need to complete the task.
"It seems to me that a patriot is modest"
— There are quite a lot of questions about war films today, because the paintings were shot 50 years ago by people who still remembered the echo of the war. Now many projects have turned into blockbusters, shooting games. In your opinion, which category does "August" belong to? And how can we take care of such an important topic for the Russian people today?
— This is probably more a question for the creators, directors, and producers. As for "August", it was possible to avoid excessive pathos, action for the sake of action. Of course, this is a modern movie, but the main focus is on people. And the actors are already responsible for this. As far as they transform, they live their own character.
In general, I think that our Russian audience is not used to seeing movies only as entertainment. In the 1990s, we were accustomed to blockbusters, but this is not ours. I'd like to see the story anyway. If the director didn't build it, if there's nothing in the film or no one to empathize with, no one will watch the action for the sake of the action. Again, we return to Sholokhov: if there is a human fate in the film, then they will be watching. For the Russian audience, this happens intuitively. And decorations won't surprise anyone now.
— Over the past decades, the word "patriot" has begun to sound different. And what does it mean for you to be a patriot today?
— It's hard to explain. The most important thing here is not to get carried away with pathos, which I really don't like. It seems to me that a patriot is modest, about himself and for the benefit of the country. If you can do something, you do it well. Without loud slogans with banners. That's all.
"An artist should be able to do everything, including sing and dance"
— This season, the Provincial Theater is also preparing a play about the Great Patriotic War. Moreover, it will be a musical written by Sergey Zhukov. Aren't you afraid of some skepticism from the audience?
- no. All that is accepted into the repertoire is deliberate action. On the contrary, I hope this production will attract the attention of another audience to our theater, since Sergei Zhukov has his own fans. Theater, it seems to me, is the art that should unite absolutely everyone. We want families of different generations to come to this performance: children with parents, grandparents. After all, the main characters in the play are teenagers.
As for the musical, it could be a new stage in Sergey Zhukov's life. He wrote the music and songs for the play. And for him, it's a revelation. I think such an experiment could be very successful. Because it was made sincerely, with a soul. This is the very statement that we all need.
Russian singer, musician, entrepreneur, music producer Sergey Zhukov
"Was it his idea?"
— Yes, he approached me with a proposal to stage a musical at the Moscow Provincial Theater. Our theater is familiar with this genre: we have our own orchestra, all musical performances are performed with live sound, and we have singing artists. I advocate that an artist should be able to do everything, including sing and dance.
The play is directed by Nina Chusova, it's called "You're the only one with me." This is a story about a boy looking for his mother, who was captured by the Nazis. Moreover, according to the plot, modern teenagers seem to "fall" into the years of the Great Patriotic War, passing this time through themselves. And before our eyes, very young children are beginning to rethink the events of the past. If, for example, my generation still remembers their own grandfather, who talked about the war, then my children have not found all the great-grandfathers. I think this is a very important story in order to connect generations and not forget about important events for our country. Premiere on October 16, I invite you.
"If one of our children chooses this profession, he will be compared with his parents"
— You work a lot with a young audience.: You are staging children's plays, and this is the eighth time you have held a large children's Festival. Why is this important to you?
— It's a contribution to the future. If we don't take care of our children now, we will get a generation that will forget us. And he will forget traditions if they are not instilled from childhood. Actually, the performances, films, animated films, and books that we select at our festival all serve the education we are talking about.
How to educate the next generation? Create projects that will carry the appropriate function — good movies with the right thoughts, performances on painful topics. These are patriotism, bullying topics, and family relationships — all that our children care about. That's why our festival has a children's jury. We select guys who evaluate the projects that adults create for them. And then, based on their choice, the directors turn to these topics, wonderful plays, film adaptations, and performances are born.
A scene from the play "Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens" as part of a Large Children's Festival
The big children's festival has already started and will last until November 14th. And then, thanks to the special program "Echo of the BDF", the regions will be able to see our winners and participate in the educational program. We traveled with the Echo from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka, and we were in Kamchatka twice. And every time it's such a week-long holiday for children, it's a mission in a sense. This year our Big Children's Festival has become a part of the national project "Family". This is also very important.
— How can you find time for your own children with such a busy schedule — filming, theater, charity projects?
— When there is an opportunity, we take you to the playground. They watch how Mom works, she's the director, and how I work in the frame. They were with us on the Plevako. Now I have four projects in parallel, and one of them is the project of my wife Anna Mathison. She wrote the script and is directing it. It's a full meter, it's called "Not childish." It's a good folk movie, but with a very serious theme about orphanages.
— Do the guys already have a desire to continue the family business?
— I'm watching, I see that each of them has abilities. And we'll see how it goes from here. If you have talent, then you can safely transfer to a profession. I'll help you, I'll educate you. The main thing is talent.
Director Anna Mathison on the set of the TV series "Plevako"
— Usually creative people are reluctant to accept such a decision by children.
— We are well aware that this profession combines a huge number of difficulties, nervous breakdowns and great stress. It's a huge job. And both physically and psychologically. It requires incredible endurance and endurance. It seems like a simple matter, full of joy, premieres and happiness. But in reality, it's a herculean task.
Of course, if one of our children chooses this profession, they will definitely be compared with their parents. And this is already a psychological burden, I want your children to avoid it.
"Artificial intelligence really helps in the profession"
— Now neural networks are massively creating videos with famous people — identical copies singing and talking. How do you feel about this? How can it all turn out?
— Of course, it's sharply negative, like all normal people. Because it's a scam, and it needs to be dealt with. I think law enforcement agencies should deal with this, establish appropriate laws prohibiting such things. As for artificial intelligence, it really helps in the profession. For example, working with space. Vintage photographs are now being brought to life in the cinema. Plus, it makes the filming process cheaper. You don't need to build scenery, and almost any general plan can be taken from historical photography.
— Will the acting profession disappear over time?
— The acting profession will never disappear, because there is a theater. In the theater, it is difficult for artificial intelligence to compete with live art. He will never defeat us. I think, on the contrary, it will help attract more and more viewers to the theater. You are not being deceived here. The tears you see here are real tears. And they are pouring in front of your eyes. It is a living energy. And no matter how artificial intelligence develops further, I think the theater will become the place where people will strive.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
