As the map lay down , that fate brought the author of this material to the future star of the national cinema early, In one Kyiv district they grew up, went to the same school, though in different classes. The following is permanently imprinted from the past. We, in dull school uniforms and pioneer ties, lined up for the next line. And with envy looked at the bright, ostensibly dressed, sealed to the pillory, little, but already become a school celebrity Leszek Gorbunov, Teacher was strictly recommended: "Children, look carefully at this pupil!" The student studied for a strong "two" - "three", periodically skipped, regularly snapped. He came to school in fashionable flared jeans, which was unthinkable, he wore long hair, and this is not in any of the gates. Plus lit up at dances, played blues songs at the entrance to the guitar, and also sang heartily to Vysotsky, Okudzhava, Bernes, Vizbor. He drank wine. Well, where is this good? At the same time, everyone adored him and tried to look like such a hero.
Alexei Gorbunov played soccer well, dreamed of becoming a football player, of course (the first line-up of Dynamo Kyiv, Lesha decided to go to the artists.) Papa again explained: "There are not many places in theaters at the film studio, and people like you, Lesha So, dui-ka, son, in the seafarer, or in extreme cases, learn to be a specialist in refrigeration. "But the future film-player with the soul of a romantic knew perfectly well that with his certificate he was only an actor. The first time he entered. Without blat.After the triumphant delivery of the introductory copies the parents approved the choice of the son, and he quickly proved himself to be one of the most talented students of the Karpenko-Karogo Kiev Institute of Theater Studies, we, by the way, studied together in different faculties, just like in the spirit: unlike the school Alexei Sergeevich Gorbunov was very diligent in the university.Kost Petrovich Stepankov not only singled out this student from the whole course, but also genuinely loved and believed in him.
Years have passed . At this meeting, Alexei invited to the cafe. True, he strongly warned: "Talk only about the cinema, about the roles." In short, about creativity. "Did you understand? If you ask about your personal life," I'll say goodbye. "I quickly agreed, because I felt: Gorbunov was not joking. , that your creative life is full of certain mythical-fateful coincidences?
Yes, many things did not happen by chance. For example, when in 1984 the director Vladimir Popkov began work on the picture "Cargo without marking," which later became a landmark for me, the main role was originally intended for Oleg Menshikov. But Oleg always had a busy schedule, and the timing of filming was not allowed. And suddenly, absolutely by accident, Popkov saw me, invited me to try it, and - approved for the role of customs officer. This was the film debut of Alexei Gorbunov, where he is currently being removed. The painting immediately became popular. Her whole country has revised several times.
With this film , incidentally, an interesting story turned out. The fact is that I grew up in a special area of Kiev - in Rusanovka, at the cinema "Slavutich" to the touch knew every corner, the boys we went here for free movies ... So, having acted in the "Unmarked Cargo", immediately left for army, but the last six months I worked in Kiev. In one of the layoffs I met the old Rusan roots, and we went to my native Slavutich to watch my debut film, which had already become a hit of the season. We arrive - there are no tickets. The hall does not break through, but just so we are not allowed. I'm starting to prove that I'm the main character. Nobody believes - a kind of non-star: sheared, tortured, yet in shape. Finally, some aunt-administrator with grief, in half, recognized me and led me into the hall. And it is crammed full. That's how I first picture and looked - in the aisle standing and staring at myself ...
Soon fateful moments were repeated. Roman Balayan gathered to shoot Menshikov in his "Filer", But Oleg again was busy and could not escape to Kiev. As a result, Roman Gurgenovich approached me for his role. A little later, the director Svetlana Ilinskaya invited to her work "Yama" after Kuprin's play, already us together with Oleg. Is not it a coincidence?
Besides , do not remove me from Vladimir Popkov in the "Cargo without labeling," would I have got a posh jester in the TV series "Countess de Monsoro"? You look at this picture and you get the impression that you played Shiko, being a 100% happy person ... Of course! Work in Moscow, such a role ... Especially since there was nothing to play. There all in the very Shiko, the text, We thought to remove the continuation of the fate of my Jester about a decade later. But Zhenya Dvorzhetsky died. And all ...
A few years later Oleg Menshikov called me. He explained that he was starting the rehearsal of the play, he promised a good role. I was at a loss, because at that time Popkov entrusted me with the main role in the film "The Werewolf". Well, what was to be done? "Werewolf" is a big serious project and the work is very interesting. I explained everything to Oleg and asked for the second team. To which the director replied: "I have one composition." I was tormented, doubted, and I had to - again a coincidence: on October 28, a call came from the director of the Mayenik's Kitchen: "We are waiting for you." And the next day, on the 29th - clearly on the day of my birth, Popkov worked the last shots of the "Werewolf". So it turned out that I still acted in the daytime, and in the evening I played in the "Kitchen", because I prepared my role in any case. Since then have you firmly settled in Moscow?
Yes, since 2001 . I used to be actively involved in this city - in the "Countess de Monsoro", "Country of the Deaf", "Kamenskaya". But he took root after he started working at Menshikov's theater, Where did they live, when did they move? Two years in the hotel "Minsk" on Tverskaya, it has already been demolished. Then the theater began to pay me an apartment. I'm renting housing today, because I can not afford to buy my own apartment yet. Of course, if it were not for Menshikov, he would still be living on the Kiev-Moscow train, or he remained forever in his native Kiev. But in the theater Oleg played five performances a month. It's a lot. Therefore, he was closely tied to the plays and to the theater. And at such a rhythm it is necessary to be constantly in the White Stone. Yes, and was shot often, and again - with Russian filmmakers, In Kiev at that time the movie died out, and in Moscow, on the contrary - it blossomed. I was in great demand. This is another serious reason for my stay there. When you decided on such changes, did you intend to change your citizenship?
I still have a Ukrainian passport, I'm a native of Kiev, a Kyiv residence permit. But I've been living in Moscow for nine years, I have an intensive work schedule there. Such uncertainty does not create problems? In some ways it creates, but they are not deadly. Yes, and about the citizenship of especially do not have to bother. Still, between Russia and Ukraine, a civilized relationship of mutual understanding. In any case, the visa regime is not introduced. And what happens next - I do not know. Today, I normally fit into the Moscow rhythm. Many of your Ukrainian colleagues complain, they say, in Moscow, the attitude towards them is condescending. Did you feel such discrimination? Nothing like this. It was in Soviet times at the Dovzhenko film studio that I fully experienced what is second-rate - I was unemployed for three years and "bombed" the Zhiguli at night to survive. And not only me, In Moscow it does not matter where you came from. There are almost all good artists - visitors, so the policy is extremely simple: if you know how to do something well, you will not hesitate. Do not know how - goodbye. Everything is clear and clear - if you are an artist, then you must be able to play. If a musician - be kind, write talented music. Moscow respects people who can work professionally.
At first I was still dragging back and forth for a long time, since in Kiev the work was enough - in the club "Al Capone", on radio stations. He started on "Continent", then worked for "Nostalgia". As a DJ was tightly occupied in the club "Cinema" But the forces for constant travel with time ran out, and I stayed with Menshikov. Today in Kiev I work only on television, because my radio was shut down. I refuse to understand what is happening in Ukraine with the Russian language, With all due respect to the choice of your country, otherwise I will not call it wildness. We are the native Kyivans, while we sit in a cafe, communicate in Russian and do not fall into a faint. My child went to first grade this year, and to the Ukrainian school.
But he also speaks Russian, and I was popularly told on the radio that my program is closed, because it was not on the air again on the air. I do not understand anything - for seven years people listened with pleasure to the way I read good literature on the air - Marquez, Shukshin, Bukovsky, and it was pleasant to listeners! Alexei, is it true or gossip that you and Oleg Menshikov beat the pots?
Come on, what nonsense you are! How could this happen? It's just that I do not go on tour with his theater anymore. Now I have a lot of filming and with the same performance "Players" can not go out. Oleg and I discussed this situation, we talked normally, he understood me, it's prestigious and honorable to play with Oleg. Thanks to this experience my dream about the theater was realized. He is a great professional. Works on the following principle. In the beginning, the line of conduct, the character of the heroes, discusses with each actor separately. Further, thanks to its iron endurance, it makes sure that the conceived has been impeccably embodied. From the audience he always closely watches the course of the rehearsal, but when his hero joins in, literally flies into the scene. He played - and then in the hall, His rehearsals have long been to be introduced into textbooks on acting. Extremely talented person. Nikita Mikhalkov's painting "The Twelve" is your first collaboration with the master? As an actor with a director - the first. Prior to that, we were together in the film State Councilor Philip Jankowski. Nikita Sergeyevich looked at Oleg Menshikov and "Kitchen", and "Players". Therefore, as an actor, he knew me. Well, as for the "Twelve", my role was to play Volodya Ilyin. All the artists were distributed and approved in advance. I again had a lucky chance - was on time at hand. Called, casting director for actors Tamara Odintsova, asked if I have two free months. It was on New Year's Eve, I just finished filming in the previous picture, so I had time. We met with Nikita Sergeyevich, we discussed everything, I was approved.
Obviously , you are very busy today?
Now I'm shooting in St. Petersburg in a big role with Alexei Uchitel. The working title of the painting is Gustav. Recently worked with the French in the film "Forever", where my partner was Emir Kusturica. The week of filming was held in Kiev and Kharkov. The film is spyware. And goodbye. Do not be angry, but still explain your so principled position: not a word about your personal life. Were you greatly offended by the media? I just do not want to involve such people in such conversations. My deep conviction is that the actor should only talk about what he knows how to do. And that's all! With whom he lives, where he rests, what he eats, and what he puts on, no one should touch. Of course, I understand: the personal life of people public for the layman is unusual. Only I do not support putting my problems on public display. But the fact that I will soon have two premieres - how much your heart desires.