Russian actress who starred in Wolverine. How to get to Hollywood: the story of Svetlana Khodchenkova

The role of the seductive villainess Viper in the film "Wolverine: Immortal", which the famous American movie star Jessica Bill refused last summer, brought the Russian actress Svetlana Khodchenkova world fame. Last night, the 30-year-old actress presented the Moscow audience with a new fantastic action movie about the life of one of the heroes of the popular X-Men trilogy, but Khodchenkova had to shine on the red carpet alone: ​​Hugh Jackman, whose appearance with bated breath was expected by metropolitan ladies of all ages, in the rays soffits never came up.

To brighten up the absence of the Australian handsome man, the organizers of the premiere hurried to recreate the atmosphere of the Land of the Rising Sun within the walls of the Oktyabr cinema (it is in Japan that the main actions take place according to the plot of the film): all guests of the evening were offered to try sushi for every taste absolutely free of charge, and were also treated to beer and national Japanese sake drink. However, the audience did not linger at the buffet tables for a long time. Resigned to the idea that it is possible to admire 44-year-old Hugh only on wide screens, the guests hurriedly left the cinema hall, taking their seats in the auditorium.

Svetlana Khodchenkova had to open the premiere with a solemn word. And although this is far from the first experience for the actress, as Svetlana herself admitted to Heat.ru, this time it was especially difficult for her to cope with emotions.

If I tell you that I was just worried, I will not say anything. All my friends who came to support me today know what happened to me on the eve of this premiere two days ago: yesterday and this morning. Believe me, it was not just excitement.

On stage, the actress, as usual, was laconic. Thanking all those who came to watch her Hollywood debut, Khodchenkova left the stage, immersing herself with the audience in the mental anguish of Wolverine for two hours: to be or not to be immortal is the key question of the new film about the popular superhero marvel comics Logan. By the way, Svetlana, like all the guests of the premiere, saw the edited version of the fantastic film for the first time yesterday.

In an exclusive conversation with Heat.ru, the actress shared her impressions of working with the Hollywood legend. As it turned out, the image of Hugh created on the screen is not much different from Jackman in Everyday life. According to Khodchenkova, the brutal handsome man is not only always polite and gallant, but also has a wonderful sense of humor.

Hugh was a very polite and gallant man. It is not only pleasant to work with him on one film set, but also just to communicate, - Svetlana shared with Heat.ru. - I often remember our acquaintance with him, this is a very funny case. On Hugh's first day of shooting, I arrived, it seems, for another fitting of my costume. Suddenly he ran up to me with the words: "Sveta, hello! We will work together. Very nice!"

However, to the disappointment of Jackman's fans, who dream of at least touching the idol, Khodchenkova's spicy scenes with the actor did not cause excitement and awe.

There were kisses in some scenes, but I treat this as a normal working moment, - Svetlana shared. - It's our job. Hugh is an actor, I'm an actress, so it's a normal working experience.

For the actress, the film "Wolverine" is the second, but more confident attempt to conquer the Western film industry. Two years ago, Svetlana played in the film "Spy, get out!" with such famous actors as Colin Firth and Gary Oldman. Then the company made her Russian actor Konstantin Khabensky, however, the presence on the screen of Khodchenkova herself was still not so long.

Until now, it remains a mystery to many why the Russian beauty was chosen for the role of Wolverine's sworn enemy - Dr. Viper. Khodchenkova herself finds it difficult to answer this question. However, in spite of everything, she still managed to pull out " happy ticket"to Hollywood, where for two and a half months she fought for a further opportunity to conquer world cinema once and for all.

I never got an answer from the producers to my question, why was I chosen for the role of the Viper? - the actress admits. - "You passed the test well and we liked it" - that's how they answered me, without details. Although I went through the auditions in the same way as many other actors: we recorded some scenes from the film and sent them to the film crew in America. And you know, I was so pleased that I was approved, and that this project would be in my career, that I did not set any conditions, but simply enjoyed the filming process.

In the disaster movie "Metro" Svetlana Khodchenkova plays an unfaithful wife, whose husband and daughter were at the epicenter of the disaster in the Moscow subway. For the release of the picture, we decided to recall the most interesting images actresses and found out what kind of cinema Svetlana loves and why she appreciates foreign film sets.

You rarely see Khodchenkova in the role of a negative heroine, and Liliana from the detective thriller The Trap is one of the exceptions. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine a fair-haired beauty in the role of an insidious villainess.

“You can probably say that the directors do not see me as villains, they do not feel the negative potential for these roles. I rarely play evil heroines, but they are in my filmography. For example, there was a mini-series "The Trap". In Vasilisa Kozhina, at first I wanted to play the role of Vasilisa's sister, Dasha, she has a tougher character. But I got a different character, and in the end we all realized that all the actors were in their places. And Dasha turned out more with another actress.

In fact, in every image you can find both positive and negative. For example, Irina from Metro. On the one hand, the character is negative: he cheats on his husband, lacks attention to his daughter, destroys family values. On the other hand, she is very worried, confused in love relationship trying to find a way out. It seems to me that it is necessary not to evaluate according to the “bad-good” principle, but to look for the facets of character. A diamond without a cut is just a stone, but with facets it turns into a diamond.”

Irina, "Metro"

In Metro, the actress plays Irina, an unfaithful wife whose husband, daughter and lover end up in a flooded subway tunnel. Irina, having learned about the tragedy, finds no place for herself and tries to get the authorities to save people.

"Irina - interesting character, in her character there are a lot of things, a lot of those very faces. It was interesting and important for me to be able to reflect them. My decision to participate in this or that picture depends on several approximately equal things. First, the script. The main thing is that he is interested in me as a person, he hooked me with something. Secondly, the director and partners. But sometimes my final decision is complemented by some points. For example, in general, I liked the Metro project. But main question The one that worried me was whether I would have to sit in the water for the entire filming period. When it became clear that no, I immediately agreed to act in film.

Nastya, "5 brides"

Svetlana Khodchenkova is going historical images, and it was nice to see her in a nostalgic post-war comedy. The actress, by the way, herself is rather old-fashioned about watching movies and appreciates Soviet films.

In the series, which takes place during Patriotic War 1812, Khodchenkova got the role of a partisan peasant woman who organizes a detachment to protect native land. It turned out a kind of Jeanne d'Arc Russian bottling.

For its time it was unusual heroine. At that time, not every woman, and even a peasant woman, would have dared to say harshness in the face of the owner, not every woman would have gone to defend her homeland. Now women are different. Not that they have become feminized, but we have more determination to stand up for ourselves, for our family. The character of Vasilisa is transformed throughout the picture. At first, he is softer, more flexible. Then the heroine becomes more active, tougher, more courageous, stronger. In the end, love conquers all."

Irina, “Spy, get out! »

Svetlana Khodchenkova beat many other contenders for the Soviet spy job and landed a role in a top-notch British detective thriller with an excellent Swedish director and excellent actors. However, the actress long list those with whom she would love to work on the same site. I would like to wish that these dreams come true.

“If you dream, then from the directors I would like to work with Woody Allen, with Robert Rodriguez, with James Cameron. From actors with Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Robert Downey Jr. Here you can walk through all the handsome men, and a week is not enough to list.

Viper, "Wolverine: Immortal"

After "Spy, get out!" Svetlana's international career went up, and in 2013 we will see her in the same film with Hugh Jackman. This experience gave her the opportunity to compare the process of filming in Russia and abroad.

“In some places the process is very similar to ours, in some places it is fundamentally different. Both in that case, and in another, their pluses and minuses. But one of the most important factors for me personally, it's much quieter on set. Rather, there is no noise. They speak into some small devices, I don’t hear what doesn’t concern me as an actress. I liked it very much. I came to the site and began to work calmly, without being distracted by extraneous sounds and noises.

Vera, "Bless the woman"

The first major role, the first full meter - and immediately with the recognized master Stanislav Govorukhin. Since then, Khodchenkova has gained experience in a variety of projects, but she still remembers the advice received from Govorukhin at the Bless the Woman site.

“Stanislav Govorukhin gave me a valuable and most important advice, which is relevant for all actors and on any projects: to know the text of the role by 100%. Otherwise, you will not be able to give yourself to the game. You know the text - you play the way you want, the way the director needs. When I came to my first film set, I was checked as a schoolgirl. Since then there holy rule in my work: when I go out on the set, I always have to know the text.”

“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 a stranger to succeed abroad?

In 2013, the film "Wolverine: Immortal" from the series about the X-Men, comic book heroes with supernatural powers. In this Hollywood blockbuster, Svetlana played the main role, the villain nicknamed the Viper, the mutant Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman, is at war with her. Our actress was lucky after Jessica Biel turned down the role, which the producers originally wanted to cast.

Svetlana Khodchenkova, actress

But in the West, Khodchenkova was recognized in 2011. Then the film "Spy, get out!" co-produced by 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 tape had several Oscar nominations. “It was thanks to a small appearance in this picture that I got into Wolverine,” says the actress.

For samples, Khodchenkova recorded a video, several scenes from the film and sent it to the studio. By the way, she starred in two forms: in a black wig (because she read that Viper is an Armenian and she has black hair) and without it, but at the studio, contrary to the original, they preferred the second option. “I asked the producers why they chose me, but I never got an answer,” says the actress. “You did well in the audition and we liked you,” they said.

Svetlana speaks good English, but admits that it was not easy to play: “I can improvise in Russian, and therefore it is easier. Improvising in a foreign language is difficult. In addition, it is more difficult to communicate with the director, to understand him. Everyone studied the language free time. And after filming, she continued to learn, and it was American English. But the accent still remains, you can’t completely get rid of it. ” And for Svetlana's colleagues it was a test to pronounce her last name. They tried, but in the end everyone called her Svetti, which, according to the actress, she was pleased.

Khodchenkova developed a warm relationship with Hugh Jackman. He tried to help and even specially went out to the site to throw up remarks from under the camera. “I was told that this is an unprecedented thing for an actor of this level to throw cues to 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 runs. Shouts: "Sveta! Hello! Let's get acquainted!" And hugs. I thought I was going to faint."

Photo: frame from the film "Spy, get out!"

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. – Wall-to-wall storyboards, while our directors often neglect them. And also, and this surprised me, there is no strict schedule. A shooting day can last 20 hours – people work as long as the mood is there.”

After the release of Wolverine, Svetlana assures, nothing has changed in her life, and she did not feel special glory. “Do I dream of a career in Hollywood? Of course, deep down, every actor thinks about the Oscars. And I would like to work in America,” she admits. - But I will not choose films by country. American studios found out about me, offers began to arrive. 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. And 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 is released, 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.

- I became the hero of a famous actor's anecdote, - Mikhail smiles. - Spielberg calls the actor, calls him to act, and he answers: “Sorry, I can’t, I have Christmas trees!” I played with Steven. He got into his film "Bridge of Spies" in a civilized manner, without stepping on anyone's heels - the casting passed. 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 it to the studio. I speak English, I starred in a Bond film twelve years ago, and in December there will be a film with Jackie Chan called On the Trail.

And in the director, and in Tom Hanks, who plays the main role in the "Bridge of Spies", there is no pathos at all. When I first came to the site, Spielberg grabbed his elbow, as if he was just waiting, took me aside and told about his Jewish family from small town that his father speaks Russian. He appreciates his actors and is genuinely interested in everyone.

Photo: frame 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 (cared for a mental patient), a waiter. This made it possible to learn the language and absorb the foreign format of life into the blood. Everything is different there: the attitude to 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 for research. And the cinematography is different. The cinema is private, there is no state cinema, like ours. No one climbs into someone else's work. If a specialist screws in a light bulb, then five do not advise how to do it. But in America there are no jelly banks with milky 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 strongly local, my passion is connected with my homeland. Here I play in the theater, as a director I stage performances, I teach at VGIK, I act in films.

Anna Skidanova, actress of the series "Catherine", "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 an accreditation. It was there that she first met with producer Harvey Weinstein (the films Shakespeare in Love, Gangs of New York, Pulp Fiction". - Approx. "Antennas"). A friend introduced me, and I, getting acquainted, asked his name again. Harvey was surprised by this turn.

A year later, again in Cannes, we again crossed paths, and he recalled this situation. She did not hesitate and, taking the opportunity, asked: “Do you have a role for a Russian actress now?” He asked me to transfer the contacts to his assistant, and a few days later they called me, invited me to Scary Movie 5. It was real gift fate! Yes, the role is small, but during the filming I became friends with Julie Rappoport, who works for the Weinsteins, and she offered to try out for the Christie thriller, 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 to 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 engaged in my own project.

Anna with director Simon Curtis

Filming in Hollywood for the first time was scary, everything is unfamiliar, you don’t know what will happen and how. At first, I was surprised by the number of trailers, dressing rooms, a huge selection of food that is delivered to the set. Now I can say that actors in the USA are more professional, the work process is organized according to the highest class, everything is accurate - minute by minute, such training is worth learning. But the American filmmaking machine is still somewhat soulless. Our group relations go beyond the scope of the project, but they do not provide for this.

What is my secret to success? I think that three factors played: spontaneity, appearance, what can I say, 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. When it will end, I don't know yet. Hollywood is an opportunity to make new films, to work with interesting people such as Tim Burton. In Los Angeles, you sit quietly in the studio or on the set - working on a film. And at six o'clock in the evening the light is turned off. Everything, 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 jealousy. Something inside tells me: you jumped high, boy. Even though no one said it to my face. I have with many a good relationship. For example, with the actor Elijah Wood (the hobbit Frodo from The Lord of the Rings. - Approx. "Antennas"). Because I grew up in another cultural environment I have no fear of Hollywood stars. For me, the star is the actor Andrey Myagkov. Here I am in awe of him. Why didn't our actors succeed 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? This poor Schwarzenegger had nowhere to turn around in Austria, so he went 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 the recruiters of the Viva modeling agency, after casting in Nizhny Novgorod strongly recommended that she go to Paris. Oddly enough, the daughter was not torn there at all. Firstly, she was not fixated on a modeling career at all and did not believe in the bright prospects that recruiters drew for her. And secondly, at that time she was in love with young man named Sergei and did not want to part with him at all. By and large, if the representatives of the agency had not shown rare perseverance, Natasha would not have gone anywhere at all. But we were constantly called, and my daughter gave up. Like, I'll go, see what's what, and come back. For clearance required documents it took six months. During this time, Natasha still had to learn English, but given reasons I didn’t show much zeal in this matter, so I went to France with a very conditional knowledge of the language. She is now fluent in both English and French.

Paris shocked her, of course, especially the shops. After all, at that time it was a problem for us to buy good things even if we had money, but here there is such an abundance! True, at first all this was inaccessible to Natasha, and her Parisian life was not at all easy. 80% of her earnings went to the agency, she was left with mere crumbs. Natasha and other model girls pooled rent an apartment, they lived in terrible crowding, eight people in a room. Due to lack of money, they also ate not what is good for health and figures: all sorts of semi-finished products, fast food. Natasha still recalls with a shudder the fat fried chicken in breading.

She liked French cuisine immediately, although she had no money for delights. But 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, ordered a fish plate. So Natasha chose only herring from this cut, which consisted of a variety of delicacy fish, which surprised the waiter a lot. And now, when I go to visit her, I bring herring and Borodino bread as a gift. And for breakfast, we like to drop in with her at some bistro and drink coffee with croissants. Natasha loves them! Moreover, he eats them, generously smearing them with jam and butter. So many Parisians have breakfast, while 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 estate Mill a couple of hours drive from London. She lived there for ten years, but she never got used to England. First of all, because of the climate: Natasha does not like dampness and fogs.

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 civil husband, they rent a large apartment in the center of Paris. In terms of mentality and rhythm of life, Natasha is already French. He likes late dinners, after which Antoine plays music on the piano. She still loves Russia, but she could hardly live here. It is there that her home is now, the children study in French school, she also communicates with her beloved in the language of his country and lives in accordance with the local way of life. But, you know, she keeps repeating that since her departure to France, life

In the States, everyone celebrates Thanksgiving, Christmas. And now I do too, because my friends often invite me to these holidays. In turn, I call them to our traditional New Year, birthdays.

Some of my American friends still think that we have bears walking the streets. Of course they say it in jest. But at the same time, such jokes are still relevant. But the most ridiculous question most often asked to me by Americans is: do you have all year round Is there snow in Russia? Yes, they should have seen how it sometimes rains in Moscow in winter!

A couple of phrases

What attracts you abroad?

Ksenia Rappoport, actress, starred in Italy a lot, including in the films "The 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 the Russians, they often hope for "maybe", although there is no analogue to this word in Italian. But thanks to the excellent climate, they are sunnier people. And we are gloomy. For example, I am a completely St. Petersburg person, a typical "bog 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, the Italians consider us absolutely frost-resistant. When I was freezing on the set in Italy, in winter, in a 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 honestly admitting this to ourselves is not at all humiliating. First of all, they are super professional. They understand that everyone depends on each other. They cannot substitute each other, they do not want this, because everyone values ​​their reputation, their place and business. And if they are going for something, they do it as well as possible. Hollywood is a powerful industry, perfectly tuned and high-tech clockwork. But I never said that 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. When I am 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!

Vladimir Mashkov went to conquer America when he realized that by the age of 30 he had already achieved everything in his homeland, then only the same roles and pension. The actor didn't even know in English(and certainly didn’t know anyone in Los Angeles), but the film The Thief was nominated for an Oscar, so Hollywood producers were ready to work with a Russian actor. Mashkov learned the language, went to auditions, then got one of the main roles in the film “Dancing in the Blue Iguana” (the picture did not have a worldwide success), then in the TV series “Spy”, then appeared next to Tom Cruise in “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol ".

Olga Kurilenko

Svetlana Hodchenkova

Khodchenkova's American career began with an episodic, but very striking role in the film Spy, Get Out!, and then became a memorable Viper in the blockbuster Wolverine: Immortal, where Hugh Jackman was her partner - in general, it was worth going through auditions just for this . The actress does not plan to move to the USA, but she will not refuse new roles either.

Konstantin Khabensky

In 2008, director Timur Bekmambetov went to Hollywood to shoot the film "Especially Dangerous", and invited Konstantin Khabensky with him, with whom he had already successfully collaborated. And let Khabensky's role be small, but he worked with stars of the first magnitude - for example, with Angelina Jolie.

Danila Kozlovsky

Russian spectators love Danila for all his multifaceted roles, and American ones because he turned out to be an amazing ghoul in the film Vampire Academy and because Kozlovsky looks at them so magnetically in a Chanel commercial, where he was lucky to work with Kira Knightley.

yuri kolokolnikov

The actor made an attempt to conquer Hollywood for the first time 15 years ago, but nothing came of it: no roles were offered. But the second attempt was very successful, and the audience will see Kolokolnikov in the 4th season of the Game of Thrones: the role, of course, is not the main one, but we will like the scarred ogre Stir, that's for sure. By the way, the actor is sure that he got the role, among other things, thanks to fluent English: here it is, the benefits of learning languages.

Julia Snigir

The actress landed a role in the action movie Die Hard 5: A Good Day to Die as the daughter of the hero who is rescued by Bruce Willis (and looks incredibly sexy in and out of the leather jumpsuit). And there are two more works ahead in American films.

anton elchin

The actor recently died tragically - and he was definitely waiting for brilliant career in Hollywood. Anton's parents, professional skaters, moved to America when he was still a child. Anton began to act in episodes of low-budget films, but his roles in films brought him fame. Star Trek and Star Trek.

svetlana metkina

Today, the actress often starred in American films than in Russian ones: a short film career in her homeland was left behind - after the Belgian millionaire called Svetlana to marry and took her overseas. Today, Metkina has several notable works in the company of the most bright stars Hollywood - Demi Moore, Sharon Stone and Anthony Hopkins, and her husband is also her producer.

Ingeborga Dapkunaite

Ingeborga Dapkunaite feels great on any set - in Russia, and in Europe, and in America. After the Oscar-winning film " Burnt by the sun where she played one of main cast, Brad Pitt ("Seven Years in Tibet"), and Tom Cruise ("Mission Impossible"), and Gaspard Huelle ("Hannibal Rising") became her partners in the cinema.

Just yesterday, the film “Bless the Woman” was shown on TV, the heroine of which, of course, is fundamentally different from Lady Bathory, who kills children. And which Svetlana Khodchenkova is closer to you?
Both are equally close to me. 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 framework. And as for the "Bloody Lady Bathory", then naturally, the murders in no way can be close to me.

But this can also be seen as a metaphor. For example, are you ready to go over the heads?
No. Of course not. I don't see the point

Is it difficult to play a heroine with whom you have absolutely nothing to do with?
It's difficult and interesting. But Elizabeth Bathory was extremely unpleasant to me. I even sometimes asked not to show me the footage - I was afraid. Once I had to watch an episode to repeat the take, and I became 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, I realized that the story is interesting and unique for the actress. I still had characters of this type. I wanted to try. About the history of this woman, Countess Bathory, I did not know anything before, but during the preparation for the role I read a lot.

"Bloody Lady Bathory"

Central Partnership

"The Bloody Lady Bathory" is called the "Russian Maleficent". Is there villainy in this movie main character also justified?
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 motivation of the heroine.

Do you judge people harshly in life?
I try not to judge at all and to the last look for a justification for the act, 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 - again the role of "bad girls"?
Not everywhere. Now the Horoscope for Luck is coming out, although even there I don’t quite positive character… But hilarious! 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 a 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 in Hollywood developing: are there difficulties, like a Russian actress?
This is different: I myself am not so interested in working in the West. After "Wolverine" and "Spy Get Out" they send offers of heroines that I have already played: something like Viper from "Wolverine" or Vera from "Bless the Woman." I also want something new. I don’t come across stereotypes about Russians, although I have a sober attitude to life and I understand that I have an accent, and with such English I’m unlikely to be able to play really big roles yet.

Do you have a dream, or maybe a plan, to be at the Oscars as a nominee?
Eat! So far, only a dream, but which I will definitely realize.

Who is for you role model of Oscar-winning actresses?
I really like Meryl Streep - she makes me feel a storm of emotions. By the way, I know her personally.

Do you have a dream partner?
Bradley Cooper!

As an actress, are you accustomed to being praised for your talent? Or do you still need compliments and approval?
I think everyone needs it. I don’t always understand myself that I’m good in this or that role. Rather, I rarely even realize this and constantly criticize myself. Although, perhaps, thanks to this, there remains a desire to go further and achieve something, and not be content with what I have.