Director Zhora Kryzhovnikov about the New York premiere of “The Best Day”

Director Zhora Kryzhovnikov came to New York with his wife, Yulia Alexandrova. Photo by Denis Cheredov

On December 18, the world premiere of the New Year's comedy “The Best Day” by Russian film director Zhora Kryzhovnikov took place in New York. It was he who created truly popular hits - the films “Bitter!” and “Bitter! -2”.

At the Master Theater in Brooklyn, where the premiere took place, there were almost no empty seats - about a thousand people came. Russian-speaking Americans saw the film first; in Russia the comedy will be released only on December 24.

There were almost no empty seats in the auditorium. Photo by Denis Cheredov

The presentation of the film under the auspices of the “Russian Film Week in New York” was presented by the operator of Russian television Kartina.TV and the film company Bazelevs with the support of the Russian Film Foundation.

The film tells the love story of provincial traffic cop Petit Vasiutin and gas station cashier Oli. On the very day when the main character is about to make an offer to his beloved, a tipsy pop star crashes into his company car. To avoid punishment, she tries to seduce Petya. And only on the eve of the New Year, viewers will know what this love story will end with.

Interestingly, the comedy is based on the play “The Old Friend is Better than the New Two” by the Russian playwright Alexander Ostrovsky.

The main roles in the film were performed by Russian movie stars: Dmitry Nagiyev, Michal Boyarsky, Inna Churikova, Elena Yakovleva, Yulia Alexandrova, Valentina Mazunina and Sergey Lavygin. The picture was the debut for the soloist of the group “Silver” Olga Seryabkina.

The film is shot in the genre of karaoke-comedy. The events of the romantic story are accompanied by musical numbers with the songs of the “Factory” group, Mikhail Boyarsky and Grigory Leps (his daughter Inga Leps lives in New York and builds an acting career). Spectators can sing along with the main characters right in the hall. For this purpose, special titles with the text of songs appear on the screen.

In an interview with the “Forum,” director Zhora Kryzhovnikov (real name Andrei Pershin) told how Inna Churikova and Mikhail Boyarsky had been bullied, and why everyone on the film set addressed each other by their first name.

How did Ostrovsky’s play inspire you to the film?

I am a drama director by profession. And he staged the play “An Old Friend is Better than Two New Ones” based on Ostrovsky in a small Moscow theater. While I was working, I realized that pictures were popping up and appearing in my mind. I sat down to write the script and 90% of the dialogue was rewritten. But all that remains from Ostrovsky are the heroes - the unlucky Petya Vasyutin, for whom it is time to get married, but he postpones this matter. Vasyutin's mother, played by Inna Mikhailovna Churikova, who wants him to marry, but not the girl his son chose. That is, the story is very simple and unpretentious. And they told me that the story was very simple. I could have come up with something smarter. But maybe for a detective story and a thriller this is really relevant, but for a comedy it is the simplicity and clarity of the story that is a plus.

How did you manage to attract stars of the first magnitude?

[Actor and singer] Mikhail Boyarsky was persuaded to act in film by [actress] Inna Churikova. And I persuaded her. I sent the script, she read it and, as I understand it, she “had something to play.” That's what actors usually say. Churikova had the role of the main character's mother. It is large and well written. Inna Churikova invited me to a meeting. I came to the Lenkom dressing room, and we talked for a very long time. We laughed a lot and shared the same sense of humor. She really liked that [Dmitry] Nagiyev would play her son. Churikova liked the company in which she could find herself.

Then I went to Mikhail Sergeevich [Boyarsky] in St. Petersburg <...> Inna Mikhailovna [Churikova] called him and said “let’s be hooligan.” He agreed. [Actress] Elena Yakovleva is a hardworking person, all her days are planned out. I came, told everything, and she said yes, because she had already watched “Bitter.”

One of the main roles is performed by your wife Yulia Alexandrova. Creative disputes did not arise?

I don’t treat her like a wife on set. Moreover, it is even more difficult for her than for everyone else. If I can still feel sorry for others, then I tell Yulia right away and that’s it. The approach is the same for everyone: respect and love. I'm open to all suggestions. I always listen even to the lighting guy. The process is open. On our site, everyone addresses each other by their first and patronymic names. Sometimes with swear words, but by name and patronymic - to get rid of the all-pervasive poking. Dmitry Vladimirovich Nagiyev wanted us to call him Dimych, but he was still Dmitry Vladimirovich. Like a machine gun, he gave out some suggestions for jokes and lines. Nagiyev is geared up for this. He is a witty person.

Inna Mikhailovna [Churikova] takes the text very seriously. He makes suggestions, and plays a very collected, concentrated, small number of duplicates, achieving results. We rehearsed with all. This is so rare in the movie happens. With each artist we had readings, rehearsals, tests to achieve results.

But what the director's wife, Yuliya Alexandrova, says on this topic:

“The actors were in love on set. This is my dream team. When I decided to become an artist, I dreamed of playing with Elena Yakovleva, with Inna Mikhailovna [Churikova]. This is, of course, very cool. Elena Alekseevna and I had a scene of crying and hugging - in this scene I simply hugged and kissed her. She slobbered on it (laughs). I say, Elena Alekseevna, you will forgive me... She told me - no, everything is fine, everything is fine. I just didn’t know how to express my love for the artist anymore.”

Zhora Kryzhovnikov and Yulia Aleksandrovna hope once again to come to New York. Photo by Denis Cheredov

Why karaoke comedy?

I realized that we can offer this to the audience, and the audience, if we succeed in everything correctly, will pick up. But this is not a vocal simulator, we kind of invite. Focus groups have already shown that the audience is singing along, especially as the New Year mood is upbeat. And we have a chance for something new, in the sense of experience. Why not: I came to the film and also besides.

You know how to make a box office movie. In 2013, you’ve already shown your movie “Bitterly” in New York. What budgets you usually operate on and how much your films collect?

The first people to see “Gorko” were New Yorkers. I didn’t come then, but Timur said that it was sold out, and it was like the first sign - a sign that everything would be fine with the film at the box office. We collected cash largely thanks to word of mouth. There was little advertising. But people came, and we stood in the box office for a very long time. About a month, which is considered quite good.

“Bitter” brought us $25,3 million with a budget of $1,4 million and became the most profitable film. Not the highest grosser - because it was “Stalingrad”, which earned $40 million, but they also had a budget of $50 million. We spent about $2 million on “The Best Day”, but we live in a ruble reality. The New Year is a high-grossing time for Russian cinema. With rare exceptions, all hits are released on New Year's holidays.

Comedy today in demand at the box office?

I wouldn't say so. If we take 2013, the box office hits in Russia were the sports drama “Legend No. 17” and the military drama “Stalingrad.” Comedies are cheaper to produce, but it is difficult for them to compete with American attraction films, where the budget exceeds $200 million. The Russian industry cannot afford such special effects. Therefore, comedy is the refuge of national cinema. This happens in both France and China. In general, comedy is a much more nationally identical work than drama. It’s easier for the viewer who understands what we’re talking about.

Is Russian cinema in crisis?

No crisis. No industry. It will be possible to say that it exists only when 5-10 films that collect cash and are interesting for the viewer will start coming out in the year. In 2013, there was a peak, and then a recession. No one goes to the Russian cinema. For the industry you need a large number of cinemas, film professions should be respected. When VGIK [All-Russian State University of Cinematography named after S. A. Gerasimov] begins to break down the door, then maybe the industry will arise.

Was it difficult to get financial support from the Film Foundation?

They themselves run to give [money]. The cinema fund receives annually about five billion rubles [that's about $ 70, 5]. He has the right to distribute this money to support the movie. All this happens on a competitive basis. I myself defended the project. He told me that there is already agreement Nagiyev, I conduct negotiations with the others. Our colleagues sat and estimated the box office potential. We received about 50% irrevocable money, and part of the amount is refundable and interest free. And we were allotted a little for rolling support.

In Russia, “The Best Day” will be shown in cinemas from December 24. And who will have to compete?

With Star Wars (laughs). But the American film “Point Break” is also coming out. During this two-week period, about 16 premieres are released, of which three or four are comedies. But we are the coolest, I’m sure the audience will say that.

What is your favorite Russian movie?

“Afonya”, “Kin-Dza-Dza”, “Autumn Marathon”. Comedy [famous Soviet film director George] Danelia. They have a unique combination of lyrics, sadness and laughter. I have a tradition, I always review “Athos” before every big shoot. I still can not unravel the magic, due to which it keeps the viewer's attention and why it is impossible to tear myself away.

Why are viewers worth watching the best day comedy?

It was an emotional and very honest movie. For example, the viewer will see the scene of Boyarsky with Nagiyev, where Boyarsky scolds his son that he lives wrong. At the journalistic shows this was applauded. Batya to his son for the cause says, that's the whole reason.

The audience in New York was pleased and applauded for a long time. “The film is very cheerful, kind, and funny. Unpretentious. The music is fun, the actors are great. I even wanted to sing along when the characters were driving in the car and singing “Mama Lyuba, come on, come on, come on,” spectator Evgenia Malkina shared her impressions.

The director was asked questions and wondered whether there would be a continuation of the film “Gorko”. Kryzhovnikov replied that he was thinking about having the heroes immigrate to the United States and try to start a new life by changing professions. But for now, due to the unfavorable exchange rate between the ruble and the dollar, filming in the USA is too expensive.