Mikhail Efremov - about Russia, America, special roles and President Zelensky

Famous Russian actor and theatrical figure Mikhail Efremov in the fall of 2019 will perform in the USA representation of "Good, bad, evil"In which the audience learns about their favorite artist a lot of new and interesting.

Photo: press service of Mikhail Evremov

ForumDaily talked to Efremov and learned about his impressions of the United States; views on the political situation between Russia and the United States; about your favorite roles and, of course, about the very idea of ​​"Good, bad, evil."

"You may not be a poet, but you must be a citizen." Do you agree with Nekrasov?

How can I disagree with Nekrasov if my great-great-grandfather Alexey Dmitrievich Nekrasov is one of the creators of the Egyptian Hall in the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts? And with the poet... well, of course, he’s a classic. How can you disagree with him?..

Can we talk about the existence of a civil society in Russia? At what stage of development is it?

Unfortunately, I am not a sociologist and not a political scientist, or even a linguist, so ask me about civil society ... but I will try to answer. Civil society in Russia is in its infancy.

In 2011-2013, a wave of protests took place in Russia. Thousands of protests took place on Bolotnaya Square, on Sakharov Avenue. And then everything went into decline, and now nobody seems to be trying to protest. In your opinion, why did this happen and why did mass protests by and large not end up with anything?

I can’t say that there were direct protests. It’s just that nice people got together and said: “Why did you deceive us with the elections?” In my opinion, there was an inadequate reaction from the authorities; they simply intimidated everyone, which is why everything went quiet. Then after that there was Crimea. Well, time will tell.

Photo: press service of Mikhail Evremov

You are one of the few in Russia who can afford to tell the truth. How do you get away with it?

So I told you so! (laughs) I am a very deeply conspiratorial conspirator.

Do you feel, in principle, some pressure on yourself because of the sharp political issues that you raise in your speeches?

All people feel the pressure - no one has canceled the atmospheric column yet. And in other areas... I don’t know, no one called me to the police because of this, they didn’t scold me, thank God. Maybe behind the scenes, of course, and in comments on the Internet, but what can you do, everyone has their own opinion, and that’s wonderful.

How do you develop relationships with colleagues in the workshop, with whom you - shall we say - adhere to different political positions?

I have a great relationship with someone. Vanya Okhlobystin is my godfather. I have a wonderful relationship with Misha Porechenkov. And I don’t know someone at all, and I don’t think that I or they are trying to get to know each other. I won’t say who, think for yourself. In principle, political positions are not the most important thing in life.

I can not ask you. In Ukraine, the president was, in fact, your colleague, actor Vladimir Zelensky. What do you think about that? Do you already have poems on this topic in your repertoire? Can you read

This is amazing. We know him a little, we performed in “Kvartal 95” with “Citizen Poet”, most likely in 2017. He makes an excellent impression: a wonderful manager, an easy-going person, in the good sense of the word “easy.” Doesn't press at all. The choice of Ukraine is obvious to me.

Regarding poems on this topic, you need to ask Andrei Orlov and Dmitry Bykov, these are their poems. And in my repertoire there is not yet a poem about Zelensky, but there is a poem by Lesja Ukrainka, the only thing she wrote in Russian. It is called “IMPROMTU, or When Nicotine Blooms”.

Photo: press service of Mikhail Evremov

Relations between Russia and the United States are now experiencing another crisis. According to your feelings, how far can this crisis go and how can it be resolved?

According to my feelings, this crisis may reach the point of an outbreak, our common one. How can it be resolved? I’m afraid to even advise and think about this. I don’t understand a damn thing about this, and here you can’t say it’s wrong. In general, everyone should be calmer and more careful. This is a very difficult and complex question. The fact that they are in this state, this relationship, is, of course, wildly stupid, but... Something needs to be changed, and unfortunately, we all understand differently what.

In your career - more than 110 roles. Are among them special for you? Are there any roles you would like to play?

Special for me, of course, is the role of Petya Kopeikin in the film “When I Become a Giant,” with which my film career began. Yes, it’s not like film destiny at all - this is how it became clear at the age of 13 that I would be an artist. That is, the profession was chosen early. And the roles that I would like to play...you know, any roles from the classical repertoire. But it all depends on who offers, how they offer. If some very interesting director offers it, but a very unpleasant person, I may refuse.

You're coming to the US with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. When are you personally good, when are you bad, and when are you evil?

Basically, I am always angry, and because of this I am good, sometimes I am bad. And to understand and see this, of course, you need to come to the show - everything is told there about it. And everything that happens at the concert, I do it all personally. So everything will be on stage.

How often do you visit the USA? What do you like in America and what not?

I don't visit the USA often. But I’ve been there about seven times already. I like everything about America and there is little I don’t like. I haven't been into e-scooters lately because I got hit with one in Los Angeles. But this is progress - what can you do...

Are there any favorite places in the USA?

Yes, Venice Beach.

What awaits listeners during your submissions in the US?

They will find out everything they wanted to know about me, everything they wanted to ask - I’ll tell you everything myself.

Photo: press service of Mikhail Evremov

And at the end of the interview, ForumDaily traditionally asks a few questions from Marcel Proust's questionnaire. What is your favorite activity?

Answer questions from the questionnaire of Marcel Proust (laughs).

Your main feature?

Seriously answer questions from the questionnaire of Marcel Proust (laughs).

Why are you disgusted?

To bad and stupid answers to questions from the questionnaire of Marcel Proust.

Your idea of ​​happiness?

Marcel Proust questionnaire.

Details about the performance “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly”, which Efremov supported by the company Savvy Design & Renovation Autumn 2019 will present in New York, Miami and Chicago and tickets are available by link.

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