As the ambassador for this year’s Key Buyers Event, organized by state film promotion body Roskino as an annual showcase for Russian content and talent, leading man Yuri Kolokolnikov, who was born in Moscow but raised in Canada, sees himself as a fitting spokesperson for an event aimed at building bridges.
Kolokolnikov’s Hollywood career got off to a good start when he met casting director Nina Gold, who was researching performers for “Game of Thrones” in Russia. He was cast as Styr, the ferocious, cannibalistic tribe’s chief after she offered him an audition. It was the actor’s breakthrough performance.
“My life has been a constant struggle between East and West since I was a child. Despite all of the existing differences, I watched how the world has become more united,” he told Variety. “Our industry is at the forefront of this trend. We’re all eager to get to know one another. And I’d like to be a part of this connective tissue in the future.”
Kolokolnikov’s star began to grow after the global success of “Thrones.” The actor has appeared in over 80 feature films, including “Tenet” and “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” and has starred in shows like FX’s “The Americans.”
He’s witnessed the industry’s embrace of Russian talent change over the course of his career. He stated, “The era of archetypal ‘Russian bad men’ is coming to an end.” “Of course, there are terrible guys; it is unavoidable. However, you will now be able to see more in-depth storylines with more complex characters.”
He’s witnessed the industry’s embrace of Russian talent change over the course of his career. He stated, “The era of archetypal ‘Russian bad men’ is coming to an end.” “Of course, there are terrible guys; it is unavoidable. However, you will now be able to see more in-depth storylines with more complex characters.”
According to him, this trend will only continue as Hollywood digs further into the country’s vast talent pool. “We have a lot of talent; filming is cheaper here; we have a lot of big, professional production firms; and we’re working on a rebate system. In terms of content generation, it’s a gold mine.”
Despite his full plate, Kolokolnikov said he doesn’t take anything for granted, quoting an old Russian proverb that says, “Don’t abandon poverty or you’ll always end yourself in jail.” “I believe it’s in our DNA, a kind of genetic fear,” he explained, “because so many generations have experienced both poverty and imprisonment.” “It’s like, ‘Hey, are you relaxing?’” she says. Keep an eye out! And don’t get too carried away with your life because it could be cut short at any moment.’
One of the things that keep his love affair with Russia going is his thinking. “Endless contradiction mingled with violent natural energy, a vast multicultural, international territory brimming unpredictability, paradoxes,” he remarked. “This most likely generates the enigmatic Russian soul that everyone wants to understand but no one can really comprehend. Even I get confused with the answers from time to time.”
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