On July 16, a new Russian comedy “Horoscope for Good Luck” with Svetlana Khodchenkova in one of the main roles was released. Fairy tale, but quite real story an office employee from St. Petersburg who decided to deal with problems through astrology. The magical effect of the predictions initially had a positive result, however, over time, the marketer Max has to run from one girlfriend to another. And everything would have been fine if he had not been in love with one of the young ladies, realizing that the second was crazy about him.
“Horoscope for Good Luck” has proven itself not to be an average comedy, but a film that is a storehouse of positive emotions. I want to watch and rewatch the film, because the leading actors tried to recreate a truly wonderful movie on the screen.
Cast replete with star names: Svetlana Khodchenkova, Anya Chipovskaya, Dmitry Endaltsev, Dmitry Nagiev, Gosha Kutsenko, Vitaly Khaev, Boris Smolkin, Timur Batrutdinov and Dmitry Khrustalev. The St. Petersburg premiere was opened by girls: Svetlana Khodchenkova and Anna Chipovskaya. The invitees were amazed not only by the roles of the girls, but also by their natural beauty. The actresses wished the audience to feel the boundless happiness and lightness that hovered every day on the set and permeated the entire film.
- Svetlana, why did you agree to participate in the “Horoscope for Good Luck” project? What is attractive about this job?
Among the many scripts that I am given to study, this one was distinguished by its lightness and heart. There are very few good ones today family films, captivating the viewer not with special effects, but with its main idea. Having seen the final result on the big screen, I can proudly say that the director’s idea was a success! The tape came out extremely kind and positive.
- How do you feel about astrology? Having encountered such a phenomenon in the film, I wanted to get individual horoscope or a prediction?
I don't believe in this kind of thing and I'm very skeptical about horoscopes. I just don’t have time to keep track of them! They say that I am a typical representative of my zodiac sign (Aquarius), but people from the outside know better. There is nothing more individual than your own plans. When you really want something, you need to work on yourself, the situation and the problem, and not look for a solution in a conversation with an astrologer.
- Svetlana, you have a very diverse repertoire behind you. What genre became your favorite and liked the most?
Genre as a concept gets boring very quickly and boredom sets in. An actor, like anyone creative personality, you can’t get hung up on one thing, you need to be in constant search. In my personal opinion, cinema should not only be of high quality, but memorable. Good films rarely go out big screen, and there are too few that I want to review later. I speak as a person close to cinema - now there are practically no legendary films as there were before. But there are many theatrical productions I'm truly happy! My last offer was to participate in the Phantom of the Opera project. The production director tried to persuade me for a long time, enticing me with the idea that tickets to “The Phantom of the Opera” would be sold out just for my participation in it. It was a pity to disappoint him, but I won’t play for fame and fees. I’m sure the situation will change soon, because one-day films, even commercially, are much more unprofitable than cult films.
- What is your dream job?
My agent constantly receives offers to participate in different projects, and it’s not always cinema. Happiness is in the right to choose! So, recently I was invited to the KVN house to take part in the filming of the new season. Unfortunately, due to my busy schedule, I was forced to refuse. Although, in free time I enjoy going to the KVN house, just as a spectator. KVN Major League has captivated me since childhood, I am proud that among the participants there are many of my friends and acquaintances. I repeat, due to lack of free time, I rarely can afford to go out. My theatrical activity sometimes it reschedules filming, but I’m glad that the theater continues to be in demand. There are many offers, including both serious dramatic roles and children’s roles. Recently I was invited to participate in the ballet production of “The Nutcracker”, but I had to refuse. Of course, I seriously study ballet, but it’s difficult to call me a professional dancer. I'm afraid people would buy tickets to the Nutcracker ballet just to see how far my technique is from the ideal (laughs).
- Hollywood exploded with praise for your beauty and talent. Now you are mainly in Russia - have you really stopped inviting people?
I don’t waste my time on trifles, I only participate in films that interest me. There really is a lot of work in Russia, and when really cool scripts come from Hollywood, I have to refuse, because I’m already filming. Producers in America and Russia are similar. Both of them do not like to wait - they have their own deadlines.
- And if you choose between Hollywood and Russian films, what would you choose?
Everywhere there are both good and not so good successful paintings. I won’t choose by country - Hollywood is good, but in Russia you relax your soul! I can't be away from home for too long.
“And also in the field of ballet, we are ahead of the rest,” Yuri Vizbor sang almost 50 years ago. Now our singers, athletes, actors, and models are in demand in the West. How do they feel there and is it difficult for an outsider to succeed abroad?
In 2013, the film “Wolverine: Immortal” was released in the series about the X-Men, comic book heroes with supernatural powers. Svetlana played in this Hollywood blockbuster main role, a villainess nicknamed the Viper, the mutant Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman, is at war with her. Luck smiled on our actress after Jessica Biel, whom the producers initially wanted to film, turned down the role.
Svetlana Khodchenkova, actress
But in the West they recognized Khodchenkova in 2011. Then the film “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” was released. a joint production of Great Britain, Germany and France. In it, the actress played a small role as the wife of a Soviet diplomat. The picture participated in competitive program Venice Film Festival, and Svetlana represented her on the red carpet. In addition, the film received several Oscar nominations. “It is thanks to small appearance in this film I ended up in “Wolverine,” says the actress.
For testing, Khodchenkova recorded a video, several scenes from the film and sent it to the studio. By the way, she starred in two looks: with a black wig (because I read that Viper is Armenian and has black hair) and without it, but the studio, contrary to the original, preferred the second option. “I asked the producers why they chose me, but I never received an answer,” says the actress. “You passed the audition well and we liked you,” they said.”
Svetlana speaks English well, but admits that acting was not easy: “I can improvise in Russian, and that’s why it’s easier. It’s difficult to improvise in a foreign language. In addition, it is more difficult to communicate with the director and understand him. I studied the language all my free time. And after filming, she continued to teach, specifically American English. But the accent still remains, you can’t completely get rid of it.” And for Svetlana’s colleagues it was a challenge to pronounce her last name. They tried, but in the end everyone called her Svetti, which, according to the actress, pleased her.
Khodchenkova developed a warm relationship with Hugh Jackman. He tried to help and even specially went out onto the set to throw in lines from under the camera. “I was told that this is an unprecedented thing for an actor of this level to throw lines at someone. But this happened to me, and I’m proud of it,” says Svetlana. – I often remember our acquaintance. I came to the site, and suddenly Hugh was running. Shouts: “Sveta! Hello! Let's get acquainted!" And hugs. I thought I was going to faint.”
Photo: still from the film “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy!”
According to the actress, there are only two differences between filming in Russia and America: language and scale. “The Wolverine pavilions seemed incredibly large to me,” she recalls. – Storyboards cover the entire wall, while our directors often neglect them. Also, and this surprised me, there is no strict schedule. A shooting day can last 20 hours – people work as long as they are in the mood.”
After the release of “Wolverine,” Svetlana assures, nothing changed in her life, and she did not feel any particular fame. “Do I dream of a career in Hollywood? Of course, deep down every actor thinks about the Oscar. And I would like to work in America,” she admits. – But I won’t select films by country. American studios found out about me, and offers began to come in. But there is a lot of work in Russia too. Sometimes they come from Hollywood good scripts, and I have to refuse because I’m already filming. Producers are the same everywhere: they don’t like to wait. American acting agents have one condition: that I live in the USA. But I don’t want to move there, because all my relatives are here. And I can’t be away from home for long, I love Moscow too much.”
Mikhail Gorevoy, actor
In 2002, he played a Russian scientist in the James Bond film Die Another Day. On December 3, Steven Spielberg's thriller "Bridge of Spies" about the release of an American pilot captured in the USSR, where he played one of the main roles - the second secretary of the USSR Embassy in the GDR, Ivan Shishkin, will be released.
“I became the hero of a famous acting joke,” Mikhail smiles. – Spielberg calls the actor, invites him to act, and he replies: “Sorry, I can’t, I have a Christmas tree!” But I played with Stephen. His film “Bridge of Spies” was cast in a civilized manner, without stepping on anyone’s toes – the casting took place. This is how it is done in America. Actors interested in the role are sent the text of several scenes of the film, asked to play, record on a medium and send to the studio. I speak English, twelve years ago I starred in a Bond film, and in December the film with Jackie Chan “Following” will be released.
There is no pathos at all in both the director and Tom Hanks, who plays the main role in Bridge of Spies. When I first came to the set, Spielberg took me by the elbow, as if he was just waiting, took me aside and told me about his Jewish family from a small town that his father speaks Russian. He values his actors and is genuinely interested in everyone.
Photo: still from the film “Bridge of Spies”
In general, I came to America in 1992 and lived for four years. He worked as a taxi driver, a nurse (caring for a mentally ill person), and a waiter. This gave me the opportunity to learn a language and absorb someone else’s lifestyle into my blood. Everything is different there: the attitude towards money, women, religion. Americans will drive three kilometers to a gas station where gas is one cent cheaper, but, for example, there are no more generous rich people. They donate huge sums to research. And the film process there is different. The cinema is private, there is no state cinema, like ours. Nobody interferes with someone else's work. If a specialist screws in a light bulb, then five will not advise how to do it. But in America there are no jelly banks with milk rivers, everyone works hard and tries to live happily. Having the baggage of life there, returning to Russia, I felt like an American, European Russian. But I am very local, my passion lies in my homeland. Here I play in the theater, stage plays as a director, teach at VGIK, and act in films.
Anna Skidanova, actress of the TV series “Ekaterina”, “Moon”, “Closed School”
She played in the films “Scary Movie 5”, “Christie”, “Hercules”, “Woman in Gold”.
When my friend was going to the Cannes Film Festival in 2012, she asked her to get me accreditation. It was there that she first met producer Harvey Weinstein (films “Shakespeare in Love,” “Gangs of New York,” “Pulp Fiction.” - Note: “Antennas”). A friend introduced me, and while introducing myself, I asked his name. Harvey was surprised by this turn of events.
A year later, again in Cannes, we crossed paths again, and he recalled this situation. She didn’t feel shy and, taking the opportunity, asked: “Do you have a role for a Russian actress now?” He asked me to pass on the contact information to his assistant, and a few days later they called me and invited me to Scary Movie 5. It was a real gift of fate! Yes, the role is small, but during filming I became friends with Julie Rappoport, who works for the Weinsteins, and she offered to try out for the thriller “Christie”, to play a student. Then, thanks to her acquaintance with the vice-president of the company, Harvey Victoria, Parker got into the film “Hercules” and the film “Woman in Gold,” which I am very proud of. Victoria invited me to appear in the BBC series “War and Peace”, but I had to refuse, because by that time I had created my own production company “October 24” and was working on my own project.
Anna with director Simon Curtis
Filming in Hollywood for the first time was scary, everything was unfamiliar, you didn’t know what would happen and how. At first I was surprised by the number of trailers, dressing rooms, and the huge selection of food that was delivered to the set. Now I can say that actors in the USA are more professional, the work process is organized at the highest level, everything is accurate - minute to minute, such training is worth learning. But the American filmmaking machine is still somewhat soulless. Our group relationships go beyond the scope of the project, but with them this is not provided for.
What is my secret to success? I think that three factors played a role: spontaneity, appearance, to say nothing, in Hollywood they pay attention to this; and a strange situation when meeting Harvey: he remembered a girl who did not recognize him.
Timur Bekmambetov, director and producer of Hollywood films
Filmed: “Wanted,” “President Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” “Apollo 18,” “Phantom.”
Spends most of his time in Los Angeles.
Here I am on a business trip – a long one. I don’t know yet when it will end. Hollywood is an opportunity to make new films, work with interesting people, such as Tim Burton. In Los Angeles you sit quietly in the studio or on film set- working on a film. And at six o'clock in the evening the lights turn off. That's it, the work is finished, and you are already at the resort. Do I feel like a Hollywood director? The main thing is to be yourself. And so in America they consider me a Russian director. There is probably envy. Something inside me tells me: you jumped high, guy. Although no one said this to my face. I have with many a good relationship. For example, with actor Elijah Wood (the hobbit Frodo from “The Lord of the Rings.” - Note “Antennas”). Since I grew up in another cultural environment, I have no fear of Hollywood stars. For me, the star is the actor Andrei Myagkov. I am in awe of him. Why haven't our actors achieved success in Hollywood? Because we have our own wonderful cinema. Our films have a huge audience. And she loves her stars. And why would they go to America to film in this case? It was poor Schwarzenegger who had nowhere to turn around in Austria, so he set off to conquer Hollywood.
Natalia Vodianova, supermodel, lives in France
Vodianova with her second husband Antoine Arnault
Larisa Kusakina, Natalya’s mother, says:
– Natasha first went abroad at the age of 17, when recruiters from the Viva modeling agency, after casting in Nizhny Novgorod strongly recommended that she go to Paris. Oddly enough, my daughter was not eager to go there at all. Firstly, she was not at all fixated on a modeling career and did not believe in the rosy prospects that the recruiters painted for her. And secondly, at that time she was in love with young man named Sergei and didn’t want to part with him at all. By and large, if the agency representatives had not shown rare persistence, Natasha would not have gone anywhere at all. But they kept calling us, and my daughter gave up. Like, I’ll go, see what’s what, and come back. For registration necessary documents it took six months. During this time, Natasha still had to learn English, but for the above reasons she did not show much zeal in this matter, so she went to France with a very limited knowledge of the language. Now she speaks fluently both English and French.
Paris, of course, shocked her, especially the shops. In our country at that time it was a problem to buy good things even if you had money, but here there is such abundance! True, at first all this was inaccessible to Natasha, and she Parisian life was not at all easy. 80% of her earnings went to the agency, leaving mere crumbs. Natasha and other model girls rented an apartment together; they lived in terribly cramped conditions, eight people per room. Due to lack of money, we also ate something that was not good for health and figure: all sorts of semi-finished products, fast food. Natasha still remembers with a shudder the fat one fried chicken breaded.
She liked French cuisine right away, although she didn’t have the money for specialties. But both then and now she misses rye bread, borscht, vinaigrette and herring. I remember once in Paris we went to a restaurant with her for dinner and ordered a fish plate. So Natasha chose exclusively herring from this selection, which consisted of a variety of delicious fish, which surprised the waiter. And now, when I go to visit her, I bring herring and Borodino bread as a gift. And for breakfast we like to go with her to some bistro and drink coffee and croissants. Natasha loves them! Moreover, he eats them, generously smeared with jam and butter. This is how many Parisian women eat breakfast, but there are practically no fat ones.
It was in Paris that she met Justin Portman, her now ex-husband, and moved to his homeland in England. They bought a large old Mill estate a couple of hours drive from London. She lived there for ten years, but never got used to England. First of all, because of the climate: Natasha does not like dampness and fog.
It so happened that today, by the will of fate, my daughter returned to the city of her youth - Paris. Together with Antoine Arnault, her common-law husband, they rent a large apartment in the center of Paris. In terms of mentality and rhythm of life, Natasha is already French. He loves late dinners, after which Antoine plays music on the piano. She still loves Russia, but she could hardly live here anymore. This is where her home is now, her children study in a French school, she also communicates with her loved one in the language of his country and lives in accordance with the local way of life. But, you know, she keeps repeating that from the moment she left for France, life
In the States, everyone celebrates Thanksgiving and Christmas. And now I do too, because my friends often invite me to these holidays. In turn, I invite them to our traditional New Year, birthdays.
Some of my American friends still think that bears walk our streets. Of course, they say this as a joke. But at the same time, such jokes are still relevant. But the most ridiculous question that Americans most often asked me: do you all year round Is there snow in Russia? Yes, they should have seen how much rain it sometimes falls in Moscow in winter!
A couple of phrases
What attracts you abroad?
Ksenia Rappoport, actress, films a lot in Italy, including in the films “Stranger”, “The Man Who Loves” and others:
Russians and Italians have a lot in common. Both we and they are careless and lazy, but emotional and categorical in their judgments. Just like Russians, they often hope for “maybe,” although there is no equivalent to this word in Italian. But thanks to the wonderful climate, they are sunnier people. And we are gloomy. For example, I am a completely St. Petersburg person, a typical “swamp frog” who constantly mopes and reflects (laughs). We live in swamps and rarely see the sun. By the way, it’s funny that because of our climate, Italians consider us absolutely frost-resistant. When I was freezing on the set in Italy, in winter, in the terrible wind, they were sincerely surprised.
Danila Kozlovsky, actor, starred in the Hollywood film “Vampire Academy”:
We have a lot to learn from Hollywood, and it's not humiliating to be honest with ourselves about it. First of all, they are super professional. They understand that everyone depends on each other. They cannot set each other up, they don’t want to, because everyone values their reputation, their place and business. And if they get together for something, they do it as well as possible. Hollywood is a powerful industry, a perfectly tuned and high-tech clockwork. But I never said I was going to stay there. I understand that he is a Russian artist, a native speaker of the Russian language and Russian culture, although this sounds loud.
Anna Netrebko, opera singer:
I love both New York and Vienna very much. When I'm in an Austrian apartment, I go out onto the terrace and admire the stunning view of the city. In New York, I live two blocks from Central Park and walk there all the time. And I love Fifth Avenue. There are so many shops there!
The new film from the X-Men franchise, Wolverine: The Immortal, is sweeping the planet. The premiere has already taken place in London, a special screening in Seoul, which was attended by more than 3,500 fans of the comic book hero... In Russia, the film was released on July 25, and the day before the premiere of the film took place at the Oktyabr cinema. The fact is that for our country this fantastic blockbuster is of particular importance, because one of the main female roles in it, namely the role of the mutant viper, was played by Russian actress Svetlana Hodchenkova.
The Russian trace in Hollywood films is now very popular. And if previously it was reduced to episodes (if you go too far, in this summer’s super blockbuster “Pacific Rim” a pair of rangers - drivers of giant transformers - arrived from Russia), now more and more our stars are being trusted with significant roles. Danila Kozlovsky, the legend of Legend Number 17, is currently studying at the “dream factory” and is preparing to play the role of a vampire - Vladimir Mashkov practically settled there, on the other side of the ocean - we remember his work in the films “15 Minutes of Fame” and “Behind Enemy Lines” ".
The role of Konstantin Khabensky in the film “Wanted,” where he played in partnership with Angelina Jolie, is not considered an equally significant achievement - after all, the film was directed by our Timur Bekmambetov. But Yulia Snigir, who “appeared” in the latest “Die Hard” next to Bruce Willis himself - from the point of view of Western cinema - this is already an event... Oksana Akinshina - in "The Bourne Supremacy" and other films, Olga Kurylenko - Bond girl in "Quantum" mercy" and more...
The role of Khodchenkova could simply be a continuation of this series, but it also became a development.
Svetlana Khodchenkova's Hollywood work in the film "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" - a small cameo role - has already made people talk about it, that's how it was played. As for the film "Wolverine. The Immortal", I think that in those countries where the essence does not focus on its native actress, watching it is not so interesting. And in this regard, it’s even good that the leading actor of Wolverine, Hugh Jackman, did not come to the premiere in Russia. Firstly, we’ve already had him twice. Represented the films "Real Steel" and "X-Men: Origins. Wolverine." Now you need to let your partner feel her moment of glory.
Second, Jackman, now 43, plays Wolverine as older, more seasoned and vulnerable. Comic book heroes only get younger in books. In fact, the viewer can already see how Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., has changed in the next, third film in the franchise." Iron Man"(and there will be a fourth!) The same thing happens with Wolverine. Three young beautiful partners (one of whom is Khodchenkova), practically the “three pillars” on which Hugh Jackman’s hero rests in his development. However, he is good on your own, but with partners - better.
To add flavor to the film, this time Japan was chosen as the country where the action takes place. And here we have a full set of “pop”: ninja-geisha-samurai, sakura-snow-kimono, Yakuza intrigues and so on. A country rising sun in the minds of Americans. There are also Hiroshima and Nagasaki. According to the plot, Wolverine, thanks to the superpowers of a mutant, saves during nuclear explosion Japanese soldier. He sacredly preserves the memory of his savior, but is concerned about how to make himself just as invulnerable. An aged soldier who devoted his life to studying the capabilities of the body, who became the head of an influential corporation, is on his deathbed. And asks Wolverine to come and say goodbye. But it turns out that not everything is calm in a traditional Japanese family. And the adventure begins. After all, Wolverine cannot help but fight for justice. The fight scenes are perhaps the best thing in this film, which by and large lacks "action". Particularly impressive is Wolverine's fight with the Japanese enemy on the roof of a super-fast express train (speed 500 km per hour). Wolverine holds onto the roof of the carriage with his blades. Japanese - with knives...
The love line is tortuous and confusing. Around Wolverine are three women, two of whom are Japanese. In his dreams, the fourth one still comes to him every night - Jane, who he killed, played by Famke Janssen. Svetlana Khodchenkova plays the green-eyed viper woman, who is also the personal oncologist of the dying boss. You can remember the brilliant Lydia Vertinskaya in the film “The Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors” in the role of Gadina-Anidag. The actress did a good job too. But nevertheless, how different these vipers are. The essence of Khodchenkova’s appearance is walking in tight outfits, sparkling with the special gaze of a snake in human form (the makeup artists tried incredibly hard) and masterly use of the sting: the forked tongue of the viper exudes deadly poison and serves the most powerful weapon during a kiss. Two episodes are especially amazing. When the viper, during a bloody battle with the yakuza at the funeral of the head of the clan, calmly films everything that happens on mobile phone and when she, being reborn, sheds her skin... Thanks to the latex outfits, the actress, who has lost weight (to the displeasure of Stanislav Govorukhin, who discovered Svetlana Khodchenkova for cinema in the film “Bless the Woman,” when she was still, as they say, “in body”) is drawn to compare to Catwoman played by Anne Hattaway, Halle Berry and Michelle Pfeiffer. And also - with the heroines of the same "X-Men" - Mystique and Storm (the latter - again - Holy Berry). It must be said that our Svetlana fits very well into this series. And it suits her much more than roles in films such as, for example, “Love in big city or a remake" Office romance", where she plays Mymra. True, there was still something draconian in this Mymra. Hollywood saw it correctly...
Good news: Svetlana Khodchenkova stepped into Hollywood. And this is not an extra, not an episode, but the main one female role in the movie "Wolverine".
Photo: Vladimir Shirokov
Sveta’s partner was Hugh Jackman, whose authority in world cinema is indisputable. And soon we will see the premiere of a Russian film with her participation - the disaster film “METRO”. And here, apparently, we will see a completely unexpected Khodchenkova. Well, keep it up, dear Svetlana!
Sveta, I admit, I’m shocked.
What's happened? ( Surprised.)
About seven years ago, when we were filming a program at your home in Zheleznodorozhny, you said that you hate pink color. And now you're wearing pink.
Lord, how long ago it was... I can’t say that my attitude towards pink has changed radically, pink is also different. I like the shade of my sweater, lingonberry, but I still don’t have warm feelings for pink. There is such a strong association - a blonde in pink, and even driving, God forbid. ( Laughs.)
Be calm, such a cliché definitely does not suit you! About “long ago - recently”. Tell me, at what stage did your life turn from the past to the present?
Probably when I graduated from college.
By the way, did you graduate from the Shchukin Institute? Do you have a diploma? You either studied there or didn’t study there. I remember you said that you took exams over the phone because of filming.
It happened. No, I never received my diploma.
Sveta, aren't you ashamed? Actress Khodchenkova without higher education…
...and is filming in Hollywood. ( Laughs.) You know, it's a shame. It's incredibly embarrassing. I don’t have time to pick up my diploma, it’s not so simple: I need to pass the exams, and for this I need to study. No one will just give me a diploma for having beautiful eyes. And I myself would be embarrassed to just come and pick it up.
What exams still need to be passed?
Russian literature, philosophy and something else... Oh, and a general exam. There are three exams in total.
Do you think this is impossible?
Of course available! I can’t say that I’m lazy, you can find time in your schedule, but I don’t see the point in it right now. I’ll be a little freer, I’ll shoot a little more...
In Hollywood.
In Hollywood, yes. Then I'll do this.
I don’t remember the moment when suddenly the good actress Svetlana Khodchenkova began acting in Hollywood. How did it all start?
I think it all started with the movie Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. This was a British project with which we went to the Venice Festival last year. This film had several Oscar nominations, which was incredibly nice.
How did you even get involved in this project?
By some miracle. Miracles happen in my life all the time. Because, you know, I didn’t think or wonder - and suddenly I, still a very young actress, was in Venice, and now in Australia. If they told me about this five years ago, I would not have believed it.
And how did this miracle happen?
How does a miracle usually happen? Suddenly. We sent the script, recorded the tests, sent it via e-mail to the UK, where the director, out of thousands of applicants, spotted...
Out of thousands?
I don’t know how it really was, but I like to think that out of thousands. ( Laughs.) At least a lot of good Russian actresses auditioned.
To be honest, I haven't seen this movie, you have it there big role?
No, it's small. Although it was thanks to this small appearance in such a film that I managed to get into “Wolverine”.
Do you know English perfectly?
Yes I speak English. But it's still a big problem, because it’s one thing when you and the director speak the same language, and you can explain everything, and you understand everything, but it’s another thing when the director suddenly shouts something to you from somewhere in the corner, and you only hear an echo.
But it mobilizes.
This is very mobilizing. Is it true.
Sveta, they say that if a little-known actress stars with Bruce Willis or Brad Pitt, then the star in the frame does not meet with such an actress. This is true?
I didn't have that. Moreover, Hugh Jackman, with whom I was filming, came onto the set just to help me. He was very supportive. He's an amazing person. How he sings, my God! We had a party, which is exactly what he organized - he simply gathered all the actors, producers, directors. Such a farewell party. Hugh said thank you to everyone and at the end suggested we have karaoke. When he started singing, I was amazed at how gifted he was.
How long did you star in The Wolverine?
Two and a half months. We filmed in Japan and Sydney.
Tell me, after that filming, did you come to Russia as a different person, as if you returned from another planet?
No, it seems to me that nothing has changed. The only thing is that now I probably understand better what is right and what is wrong on the court. At the same time, I cannot say that I arrived spoiled by that good life, it just seems to me that now I know what the norm is, I know how it should be.
And how should it be?
There must be respect for the actor: he comes to the set - and everything is ready for his work: the makeup artists and costume designers are already at the start, so that the actor immediately begins to prepare for the exit, and does not think that the dress is too big for me because it was not hemmed, or they didn’t buy something for makeup, and now the tone doesn’t suit me.
Sveta, after all, almost none of our actors made a career in Hollywood, no matter how hard they tried. You seem to have illusions about this.
There are illusions, yes, in this sense I am a little vain. I want to work there. I don’t quite agree with you: many of our actresses star there, but Yulia Snigir starred in “Die Hard.” I am very happy for her. Again Olya Kurylenko. I don’t know, can we consider it ours? However, she speaks Russian.
Tell me, did you easily endure these few months in a foreign country, or were there psychological difficulties?
No, it’s not easy, it was hard. Far from home, always in a foreign language. I wanted to quickly return to our traffic jams, to my home snowy city. When I shared these thoughts, I was told that I was crazy. I would never have thought that I would miss my native place so much. Now I get such a thrill from being stuck in a traffic jam somewhere on the Moscow Ring Road for four hours. ( Laughs.)
This is the first time I’ve heard such joyful words addressed to Moscow traffic jams!
Well, I know that in four hours I’ll get there and I’ll be able to chat with my friends, I’ll be able to talk normally with my mother. And do all the things, and go to any establishment I want and at what time I want, and not like in the West - everything is closed at nine, and you won’t get anywhere. In this sense, it is quite difficult there.
And you love spontaneity, right?
This is just how it all happens to me. Everything that was planned did not come true, and everything that was not planned, that was not even dreamed of, was not dreamed of, everything works out.
I wonder what was planned and did not come true?
I wanted to become a doctor, but I wasn’t good at chemistry - it didn’t work out. I wanted to work in the theater, but it didn’t work out, because who would hire me with such a schedule.
It's clear. Sveta, you just filmed in Japan. But this is not your first Japanese epic. You, while still a schoolgirl, went there under a contract - as a model. It's surprising that your mom let you go like this. at a young age one to Japan.
Yes, amazing. Back then, I still asked my mother for permission to go for a walk with my friends near the house, but she easily let me go to Japan. She said that the situation there is different - no one on the streets will offend you there.
Was it scary to travel so far from your home for the first time?
It was very scary, of course. It was the first time, in general it was my first trip abroad. I even called and asked my mother to pick me up. Like kids calling from pioneer camps, I cried the same way.
Well, these are emotions. What prompted your decision to become a model? Did you want to escape from the bustle, from the semi-colorless life in Zheleznodorozhny near Moscow?
I didn’t think about anything like that, I just wanted to walk on the catwalk. I remember when I was in elementary school, I watched all these programs about fashion, about models, I rehearsed at home, paraded, then taught the girls at recess. I wanted this. Then already in modeling agency I was told that my height was a little inappropriate - too small for the catwalk, and that I needed to move towards shooting for magazines. I cried so much! My mother and I recently remembered this. Why were you crying? ( Laughs.)
You told me that your classmates didn’t like you. Why?
I remember that they, mostly boys, were very surprised that Khodchenkova went to work as a model in Japan. In general, I was a modest person: I didn’t wear makeup, I never really stood out. Was like this ugly duckling. It always seemed to me that I was too thin, my ears were not what they should be. The other girls seemed so beautiful to me! I began to like myself more or less when I was already working as a model and when they started telling me that I was good at this and that was okay too.
Tell me, were you sociable as a child?
I had one girlfriend or two at most, that was enough for me. And now it’s the same, I can’t say that I have some crazy number of friends, about five of them are the best, and I don’t need any more - why waste time. There are acquaintances, good acquaintances, but there cannot be many friends.
Your family is quite modest, I think your mother is a builder?
And now he works as a builder?
And now it works.
Could it have happened in life that you would have followed in your mother’s footsteps?
Hardly. Since childhood, I understood that this is not easy and I don’t want it. I always dreamed that I would live somewhere abroad, earn decent money and help my mother. I always wanted to help my mother. This is the only thing I knew about myself then.
Are you helping your mom now?
Certainly. It so happened that I am now our eldest. ( Laughs.) I really want to take care of my mother, protect her, care for her and cherish her.
You and your mother lived alone, your father was not there?
No, it was not.
Have you felt the absence of a full-fledged family?
No, I didn’t feel it, because I had nothing to compare it with. It's one thing when a child grows up in full family, and then suddenly dad leaves. I grew up in this situation from the cradle. My mother was both my mother and my father - “mapa”, as they say.
And you didn’t even know your dad, didn’t communicate with him?
No, there were times when we talked when I was already older.
As a child, did you have any complexes because perhaps you didn’t have enough money for something, or because you dressed more modestly than others?
There have never been any complexes in this regard. Mom sewed, knitted, and did everything so that I would not look or feel worse than others. I didn't feel bad. It was difficult in some material sense, but my mother somehow tried to explain this to me, and I understood that you couldn’t ask her for more than what she could give.
So you weren't spoiled.
No no. I hope that I am still not spoiled.
This is good. Sveta, you're in front of theater institute I first entered some other university. Because I didn’t know myself yet or was afraid of something?
Yes, it happened. Entered the Institute of World Economy and Informatization. I don't know if it exists now. Probably, it was also a search for myself, and partly I did it out of respect for my mother, because she wanted me to have a profession related to economics, so that I could earn money later. And the fact that I studied a foreign language was also my mother’s desire, because at first I was rather cold towards English.
Why did everything change and you decided to become an actress?
I've seen enough of your programs.
In terms of?
I remember once watching your program “Who’s There...” on “Culture” about aspiring artists. This somehow intrigued me, interested me, I had never thought before that you could just go to theater school. It seemed to me that I could only do it through connections. And suddenly I saw people who are not yet well-known, but, apparently, successful artists, since Vadim Vernik is filming a program about them. I thought: why not, why don’t I try?
I am very pleased to hear that.
And I’m so pleased that it all started with your suggestion.
Later, I filmed a story about you in “Who’s There...”, when you starred in Stanislav Govorukhin’s film “Bless the Woman.” You were focused, detached and much fuller than you are now.
I gained a lot of weight when I entered my first year of theater school. Gained some weight nervous soil, because I was terribly afraid that I would be expelled. I’m a pioneer - I always had to be on time at rehearsals, at the institute...
How much did you gain?
I don’t remember exactly... fifteen kilograms.
Really a lot. Did you suffer because of this, purely like a girl?
As a girl, yes, I was very uncomfortable. But then, when I returned to my normal form, they started writing nasty things about me, saying that I was on diets, starving myself and fainting.
Wait, you mean to say that you gained fifteen kilograms completely organically, and then...
It also came into shape organically.
But Govorukhin wouldn’t have cast you in his picture if you were like you are now?
I also think that I would not approve.
Tell me, did the fact that you played the main role early enough for the cult director Govorukhin give you self-confidence?
There were doubts, because after filming this film, I didn’t get any offers. And it wasn’t that I woke up famous the next morning: I calmly rode the subway, no one asked for autographs. Something changed when I already starred in Stanislav Sergeevich’s second film - “Not by Bread Alone.” The performances began, but there was no such thing as offering new shootings.
But you were still noticed in the cinematic world.
Probably someone said something to someone - after the premiere of these films, some acquaintances appeared.
You recently starred with Valeria Gai Germanika. She is a very talented and at the same time extravagant girl, and it seems to me that you are completely different.
I was sure that we were very different. I was trained by Stanislav Sergeevich Govorukhin, and Gai Germanika... I watched her films... through my fingers. When I was invited to audition for her project “Short Course happy life“I came just to meet you. I frankly said, in front of her and the producer, that I would not audition, I came only for the sake of meeting each other. The whole country was just talking about Gaius Germanicus, shouting straight out. I wanted to look this man in the eyes. I looked and I liked what I saw and the way we talked. And they even convinced me to try, well, just in case. We tried it, everything happened, and I’m proud of this project. Sometimes I feel awkward watching my films and seeing myself on the screen. Here I believed in myself, I believed in the director. I believed everything I said. And since we were allowed, even convincingly asked, to speak on our own, and not according to the script, somehow everything worked out - a loop and a hook, as artists like to say.
Listen, maybe you don’t need a diploma from the Shchukin Institute anymore? You just had to star with Govorukhin and Gai Germanika, and here they are - acting universities.
Still, no, I think an actor needs education: it’s one thing when you have texture, you are organic in the frame, it’s another thing when there are some things you need to know.
Did you and Valeria Gai Germanika have any conflicts on the set?
We had a working relationship. I can’t say that we remained great friends. She communicates with everyone very respectfully - exclusively on you. Last winter we met at some event and were on friendly terms again.
High relationship!.. You already have a lot of films and a lot of leading roles.
Yes, a decent amount, I never counted how much. I probably have a little unconventional ideas for an artist about how to choose projects. Let's say I more or less like the script, but if the partner is excellent, I will definitely agree. For example, in the film “Metro,” which will be released soon, I was captivated by the fact that Sergei Puskepalis and Anatoly Bely are starring there. Well, that's the story itself.
"Metro" is a disaster movie, isn't it? Was there an atmosphere of mystery felt on the set?
I had the feeling that I was playing a role a little out of that film, because we were so separated by the border of this underground world: almost all the characters were underground, and I was above the ground. My heroine is rushing around in search of her husband, daughter, plus the family relationships themselves are not easy - love triangle. As an actress, it was important for me to break everything down so that in the end it wouldn’t turn into Yaroslavna’s crying. I was interested in dealing with this.
Tell me, are you happy today? personal life?
Absolutely. I can say this: I am absolutely confident in the person who is next to me, I am confident in my future.
Didn't this happen before?
This didn't happen before.
Even though you were married, did you still have “student enthusiasm”?
Don't know. Now everything is different for me. Reliable, thorough.
You were married to an actor. Or maybe it’s generally better when an actress lives not with an actor, but with a person from another world? Actors are often vain, narcissistic people, obsessed with their profession.
I can’t say this one hundred percent, because there are a lot of happy acting families. But for me, probably yes, this is not my option. In my family there should be only one actor. And that's me.
Still, why?
Why? You make me like this a simple question put me in a dead end. ( Laughs.) Probably because I don’t trust the actors, I have a feeling
that they are always playing, and even off the court they behave like they are on set. I don't know, maybe it's my stupid phobias. This is despite the fact that I have a lot of artist friends, good acquaintances of male artists.
Is your current boyfriend not from the world of cinema?
No, he's doing something else. ( Smiles.)
How long have you been together?
Let me think… ( Laughs.) I'm not a typical girl, I forget important dates, sometimes I feel so embarrassed... Two years, in January it’s exactly two years.
How are you planning to celebrate?
I have it on the 21st. And we celebrate our common birthday on the night of the 20th to the 21st. But it’s very good, our friends are getting together, we have a common company.
Did you meet on vacation?
No, we met through our mutual friend, Nastya Zadorozhnaya, and ended up in the same company here in Moscow.
Tell me, did you see George and immediately realized that this was your man, or did it take some time to pass?
Listen, this is so embarrassing, I fell in love at first sight. I saw him and fell in love. I even confessed to Nastya. Then a year passed until I figured myself out and something happened.
Has he been waiting patiently for you all this year?
Yegor didn’t even know that I was in love with him. At some point I myself no longer thought about him. And then he somehow helped me with one issue, and helped me again, just like that, in a friendly way. And I began to understand that since a person does so much for me, he probably loves me. You know, I'm lucky, I always knew that my man would cook well. And he cooks amazingly, some restaurant masterpieces. And now I have my own, feminine concept: feeding means loving.
So he cooks, but you don’t?
I cook, but everything has to come together at one point - my mood, time and so that the necessary products are in the refrigerator.
And for Georgy, the main thing is to catch your mood and cook what you want, right?
He feels, he doesn’t need to catch anything, he feels everything. By the way, with him I finally started eating meat. I haven’t eaten meat for many years, and not because of any vegetarian beliefs, I just didn’t feel like it. At some point, I realized that I had lost a lot of weight, and the doctors said that it was due to the fact that there was not enough muscle tissue, because I did not eat protein. And then it just hit me, I started having some kind of “meat” withdrawal - I started eating a lot of protein. ( Laughs.)
Sveta, seven years ago you told me that you were not familiar with the Internet and you were not at all interested in it. I hope things have changed?
Time flows, everything changes, and even Khodchenkova put on a pink sweater and learned to use the Internet. ( Laughs.)
Now, I see you also use an iPhone.
Now yes, I am an Instagram person - I live there. Are you registered there?
Now I’ll definitely register, and next time we’ll meet you in this wonderful world.
We'll definitely meet again! We leave photos to each other. ( Smiles.)
Just yesterday the film “Bless the Woman” was shown on TV, the heroine of which, of course, is radically different from Lady Bathory, who kills children. Which Svetlana Khodchenkova is closer to you?
Both are equally close to my heart. In the first case, my heroine waits, hopes, believes - completely dissolves in a man. But this story is not about me at all - everything should have its own limits. And as for “Bloody Lady Bathory”, naturally, murder cannot in any way be close to me.
But this can also be seen as a metaphor. For example, are you ready to go over your head?
No. Of course not. I don't see the point
Is it difficult to play a heroine with whom you have nothing in common?
It's complicated and that makes it interesting. But Elizaveta Bathory was extremely unpleasant to me. I even sometimes asked not to show the footage to me - I was afraid. Once I had to watch an episode to repeat a take, and I felt very scared after that.
How did it happen that you ended up in this project?
The director really wanted me to play this role. Why is a question for him. For my part, I read the script and realized that the story was interesting and unique for the actress. I still had characters of this type. I wanted to try it. I knew nothing about the history of this woman, Countess Bathory, before, but while preparing for the role, I read a lot.
"Bloody Lady Bathory"
Central Partnership
"Bloody Lady Bathory" is called "Russian Maleficent." Is there villainy in this movie? main character will they also be acquitted?
We tell our story from the point of view of a crazy person. There is no way to justify her actions. Of course, as an actress, I tried to justify some things for myself, so that the viewer could understand the heroine’s motivation.
Do you judge people harshly in life?
I try not to judge at all and to the last look for a justification for an action, just so as not to quarrel. I am an absolutely non-conflict person, I want to be more diplomatic and solve problems right away.
Your filming schedule is scheduled until August. And all this is again the role of “bad girls”?
Not everywhere. “Horoscope for Good Luck” is coming out now, although I’m not quite there either positive character...But cheerful! I can also name the historical drama “Viking” about the times of Prince Vladimir, but I can hardly talk about other projects yet.
Do you have any desire to return to a soft and gentle image?
I have now tried to do this in Alexey Andrianov’s project “Warrior”, which should be released soon.
"Bloody Lady Bathory"
Central Partnership
How is your career developing in Hollywood: are there any difficulties, like a Russian actress?
This is different: I myself am not so interested in working in the West. After “Wolverine” and “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” they send me proposals for heroines that I have already played: something like Viper from “Wolverine” or Vera from “Bless the Woman.” I want something new. I don’t come across any stereotypes about Russians, although I have a sober approach to life and understand that I have an accent, and with such English I’m unlikely to be able to play really big roles.
Do you have a dream, or maybe even a plan, to be at the Oscars as a nominee?
Eat! For now it’s just a dream, but I will definitely make it come true.
Who is your role model among Oscar-winning actresses?
I really like Meryl Streep - she gives me a lot of emotions. By the way, I know her personally.
Do you have a dream partner?
Bradley Cooper!
As an actress, are you already accustomed to praise for your talent? Or do you still need compliments and approval?
I think everyone needs this. I don’t always understand that I’m good in a particular role. Rather, I rarely even realize it and constantly criticize myself. Although, perhaps, thanks to this, there remains a desire to move on and achieve something, and not be content with what I have.
