The legendary MISI at that time, for some reason, often became a refuge of talented actors. A few more years and unsuccessful attempts to enter a theatrical high school, before Khazanov, on the advice of A. Shirvindt, tried to enter the variety circus school. Here it came even to the second round, and on the second attempt the legendary artist Gennady Khazanov became a student.
In the variety-circus everything was not easy - in Khazanov did not want to recognize even the rudiments of talent. The teacher N. Slonova interceded.
Variety genre - dependent, and in the second half of the last century also censored. Not once or twice Khazanov was forbidden to speak, writing his name on posters - it was too close, he was coming close to the line, behind which there was a stamp of censorship, and the notes in the text gave rise to new, even more pointed remarks. However, at the same time he was one of the few whose performances were held at full sold-out. His monologues were quoted by the whole country - from plumbing to academician.
Today Gennady Khazanov believes that his audience is not that broad. He explains this simply: in times of totalitarianism, humor, as much as possible, resisted the ruling ideology. And, despite the fact that no monologue was published without a press of censorship, everything was built on opposition, on opposition to ideology. And now you can say everything. And it turned out that there is an audience for which "lower-than-meaning" humor is more than enough.
However, artist Gennady Khazanov does not consider himself entitled to judge neither the times nor the spectators, he continues to live and play different roles - father, husband, theater director, actor, director. He calmly calls himself an "old scoop". The legendary artist Gennady Khazanov has all the same sad and kind eyes and a desire to give people joy. And his favorite aphorism is Tolstoy's words: "Humor is a great force. Nothing brings people together like a good laugh, because laughter is a love of humanity. "
Let's start with life's questions. Are you satisfied with your life?
In my 64 years I learned not to complain at all, not to be offended, not to complain, but to live!
Gennady , did you go to such enlightenment for a long time?
You know, no matter how old we are, we will still speak different languages, different and different. And this is not because I - already survived from the mind "scoop". No. Simply you still believe that you can fix someone or something. Something to prove, to remake, to rearrange. But I already know the other side of the coin. In any case, one, for sure.
Which one?
Great, great changes will take a long time. And God grant that the grandsons of my grandchildren see how everything changes before our eyes. So you asked how long I was going to just live, and not look back at how others live. In general, at some point, most likely by the end of life, you will understand that all life went to one single goal. Everyone has their own. Someone is looking for an ideal job, someone is the second half, someone is wealth. We all waste our lives on something. Just doing this, we do not notice how life goes through our own fingers. So personally, I've just been living the last 10-15 years, watching, analyzing the past, the present, thinking about the future.
Gennady, and the past is remembered?
And how! And, like an old man, I do not sleep well enough from these memories, I eat badly, and many more dies ... The main thing, remembering the past, I do not condemn, do not criticize today. I realize that today life dictates certain conditions. Most often, of course, they are inadequate for my perception and understanding. But, I say once again, to be objective, you can never paint with black paint the time in which you lived or in which you live now.
Well, not to run into vague and unpleasant memories, let's talk about the most vivid moments of life!
Thank God they were. In principle, this can be ended (laughs).
Can. But still. Was there more good in childhood or in a period of great fame, recognition?
You know, Georgia has a very correct expression: "No matter how good it is today, God does not think that this is enough." With good and pleasant memories - as well. They are always there. They are everywhere and in everything. And I hope everyone has it. Even a person who has spent his whole life in prison has pleasant memories. Just need to notice them, feel them to understand: now I'm happy!
What makes happy the legendary artist Gennady Khazanov - work, demand, recognition of colleagues or family comfort, love?
Here is the complex of everything that you have listed. And, perhaps, a state of mind. If it is, and even creative doubts, search - I'm happy! You know, my wife and I had a very instructive story. When the Soviet Union collapsed, and I sort of decided to master theatrical space, because I realized that with the role of a humorous artist there is no future, I fell into such a normal artistic depression. I did not care. That's all the same. And for any person, in my opinion, this is the worst thing. Negative or positive emotions are at least something. This means that a person has a certain position. But when you want so - please, and so - too, on health - this is already a sin.
In any case, the Bible says so. And I lay at home, watched TV, clipped channels, read my beloved Lermontov with Pushkin, and constantly grumbled, grumbled: the bread was not the same, then the potatoes wife salted. My girls (wife and daughter) suffered for a long time, calmly listened to everything, reworked as I wanted, and then one day came and said: "Dear our father, husband, here's 3 kg of potatoes, here's cheese, sausage, bread. Here is the money for food. You are left alone, and we are going to the Crimea. To rest from you. " From this turn of events I was taken aback. I was shocked. How so? My relatives, my girls are thrown at a time when I need to be reassured, support ...
Gennady, and your women are just like that? Always and in all trouble-free?
Absolutely! They keep me in sanitary and resort conditions!
Lucky you!
It's a yes. Not even discussed! But notice, they too were lucky. To meet a man whom a woman is ready to endure all her life is not easy. In addition, it is not easy to tolerate, but at the same time to love, to be honest, sincere and real. This is a great gift. So, in the continuation of the story. I stayed at home alone. Of course, in the beginning I got tired, sat at home, overgrown, lost heart, so to speak. And now, I could continue to be angry, take offense and on, if not for my friend - Andrei Makarevich. I walked, it means, in this state, with a dog. I met Makara on the street. He looks at me and says so, narrowing his eyes: "What, are you sorry for yourself?" I answer: "So, who else will regret it?" And then Andrew ran into me, as he put everything in order. "Are you," he says, "in your mind? To you the destiny has given so much all: possibilities, family, a meeting with Raikin, success, success. And are you now in the bomb shelter? It's right that your women left. "
I must say that sometimes this kind of aggression towards the suffering person is useful and effective. Makarevich was just the one who dripped the "402th drop of valerian" - as they say in one of my favorite cartoons "The Mystery of the Third Planet", and the patience has burst. The next morning I woke up with a man who decided finally what does not fit in today's average format. And I ran to act in films, to try myself in theatrical productions. It was a very difficult period for me as an artist, and for my family as close people. But all survived. It seems to me that we experienced creative and personal crises with dignity. And this is not only my merit! I thank always and all for any advice, for any phone call with simple words - "Gena, how are you? How are you at all? "Because with age, believe me, it becomes very meaningful, important and necessary. So call often to parents, friends and family. And do not be afraid to be considerate and sentimental.
What exactly did Gennady Khazanov not fit in today's format? (He is silent for a long time). You know .... And if I or one of my colleagues looks specifically at this broadcast or something like that, it's just to determine which bar is today the subject of mass demand. Then the fun begins. On the one hand, there is an obvious understanding of the correctness of leaving this road. On the other hand, it covers horror. After all, it suddenly becomes obvious that in fact the people are watching "The Full House", "The Curved Mirror", the "Carmelita" TV series, etc. Personally for me it is, to put it mildly, the average format. Should I fight it? - you ask. I do not know. Perhaps, such an averaged format is necessary. - For what?
In order to come home and not turn on the TV, but read Pushkin, Yesenin, Dostoevsky, Dovlatov. Although you know, after working for a while in the Satire Theater, having learned a lot from Arkady Isaakovich Raikin, I probably can give an answer to myself and others on the question "How to achieve a positive result in terms of audience success?" But ....
Is it not in your rules to prove something to someone?
Yes, and this does not play any role, to be honest. I easily agree to "corporate", if I know what kind of contingent there will be. I can agree to much, but in advance putting forward certain conditions (laughs).
No doubt. The status still dictates its positive position!
Naturally. As I say, old age is an amazing time.
Gennady Khazanov, you open a lot of new things? Or are more and more surprised?
No. You speak more and more to yourself, ask questions and answer them yourself. Therefore, when a dispute arises, "But should I be for white or for the Reds?", The inner voice calmly replies: "Why should anyone be at all?" (Laughs). Do you understand?
I think yes!
Even if you do not fully understand, it's not scary. The main thing is that in youth many people go through questions of choice and definition, asserting themselves in relation to society, to some kind of system. You just do not be afraid. Do not be afraid to say a clear "yes" or "no." The more you tell the truth, no matter how hard it is, the less regrets remain about unrealized desires and missed opportunities.
I wonder, but with what expression of a person and feelings do you watch your old performances?
I can say for sure that I'm not ashamed. And, for nothing. I look, probably, as my brother on reason - the cartoon character of the parrot Kesha. In general, I think the artist can never say clearly - I love this miniature, for this shame - but, in this I'm brilliant. If someone and systematizes, most likely, he is lying. Personally, I just have dissatisfaction with certain opuses. I recently looked through old miniatures, and I must say ... I do not like much of what I saw. In general, "like" - not that definition. Because in my particular case, I just can watch something with interest, and get annoyed at something. Of the recently viewed, the irritation was not caused by a miniature, but by the artist who showed it. Strictly speaking, I myself.
It seems that you, Gennady, are a self-critical person. And can you admit if there are people or something in this life that causes envy?
All the beloved and amazing Faina Ranevskaya said very well somehow: "My life is sad and sad. And you want me to put a lilac bush in one place and dance a striptease. " I do not envy success or money at all. Because I have so much been given that it is simply embarrassing and ungrateful to envy people in their wealth and other abilities and opportunities. Although at the same time I envy people who sincerely do not fear death. That's really not afraid. There are those who only pretend. For example, I am. If you ask me about death right now, then I'll lie, I'll lie.
So, I wish all to develop and improve their positive qualities. In this case, in no case, never and nothing to spare. And most importantly - have time to live!