Oleg Menshikov is a first-rate actor, popular both in the homeland and in Europe. He played in the theatres of Moscow, London and Paris. Among his films, there are famous "The Pokrovskie Gate", "Burnt By The Sun", "Prisoner Of The Mountains". In spite of his popularity, he contrives to stay mysterious and secretive. It probably happens because Menshikov goes out quite rarely and doesn't like to talk to journalists. These factors make Oleg Evgenyevich's agreement to talk to us during his stay in Kiev much more valuable. We met in his make-up room on the second day of the sensational "Woe From Wit" premiere. Just like on the screen, in reality Menshikov is extremely charming and elegant. Everything is fascinating in him - a single glance, movement, gesture, bending of his head, timbre of his voice.


"Catherine Deneuve supported me on the set of 'East-West'"

- Oleg Evgenyevich, how was the premiere? What do you think about our spectators?
- We liked the Kiev spectators. I think the performance was somewhat strange, a bit hard. However, it is a common thing for a new stage, a new city. We heard the reaction of the audience in the most unexpected scenes. Flowers and applause didn't matter. The most important thing was the contact.

- In my opinion, actors are cunning a bit when they say they don't depend on the audience.
- As for me, I don't want to depend. I do my work honestly. And if it is apprehended, I am grateful to the audience for giving me a new impulse to develop a role, a performance.

- You are considered a successful European actor. You played in The Globe Theatre, in Comedie des Champs-Elysees, starred in Regis Wargnier's "East-West". Are working conditions there different from ones here?
- There are no any special conditions there, you create them yourself. You can earn lots of money, but live in the suburbs and save. There everyone is accustomed to the thought that an actor should be in …not good, but I would say - a right mood, and they do everything to achieve that. In fact, there is nothing special - there the conditions are normal, unlike the ones here!

- How did Wargnier notice you?
- Regis is a big fan of "Prisoner Of The Mountains"; he was a member of the "Kinotavr" festival jury. Then, two years ago, he said he wanted to work with me. After that he was writing a screenplay for a long time, so the shooting began only a year ago. To work with him was great. He is an organized person, inwardly stable, outwardly soft, but he knows exactly what he wants. The most important thing is that he can create the necessary atmosphere.

- How did you solve the problem of the language barrier? You don't speak French, do you?
- Can you imagine it? Besides speaking, I had to play something as well. At the end of the day I couldn't think about anything… I talked to everyone in English, played in French. That was crazy! After a few takes I couldn't even say the lines I knew. It happened several times - the camera was working, but I couldn't utter a word, because I was too tired. It may seem easy, but in fact, it is a real drudgery, because language is one of the most important components of the profession. Thank God, both Catherine Deneuve and Sandrine Bonnaire supported me.


"I don't care where to work - be it "Mossfilm" or Hollywood

- What if you are offered a role in Hollywood - in an action film or - God forbid! - a thriller?
- With pleasure, there are different types of action films. There are great films, and there are also films we see every day. I had several offers, but screenplays didn't impress me, although those were major film studios, high-budget films with famous actors. Films about Russians are actually such a falsehood; we are not like that at all! Well, what's the difference where to act - in Hollywood or "Mossfilm"? Really, I am not showing off - is Mikhalkov worse?

- On the contrary, I am talking about Hollywood as the mass production factory.
- Unfortunately, it's true. Video somehow supplanted cinema. Still, there are fine films - "The Deer Haunter", "Cabaret", "Apocalypse". I can't name any of our films that would match them. Our cinema is in crisis, but theirs - too! Take, for instance, stars - De Niro, Hoffman - now they don't act as good as the previous ones.

- Who of Hollywood stars would you like to work with?
- Well, I don't know who would like to work with me. All of them are great.

- Do you have any cherished dream?
- Yes, but I don't think it will come true. I am a huge fan of Marlon Brando. But I guess I won't have a chance to work with him.

- In England your partner was Vanessa Redgrave, in France - Annie Duperey, who is very popular in her homeland. Did you feel overshadowed by the stars?
- All the people are equal on the set, they are colleagues. Everyone is working; no one's fame worries the others. Besides, I received the Olivier prize for the role of Esenin, and Vanessa didn't.


"I have enough spare time!"

- Besides "East-West" and Denis Evstigneev's "Mama", you starred in Mikhalkov's grandiose project. Are you pleased with "The Barber Of Siberia"?
- Well, yes, I am pleased with Mikhalkov's direction! I watched the film only once so far - at the premiere. As we shot enough for 12 hours, and the film is 3 hours long, frankly speaking, I haven't developed my opinion yet. I should watch it calmly.

- Do you meet Nikita Sergeevich only on the set?
- Yes, it happens so. Although for some reason everyone is sure we are closest friends. Naturally, we communicate a lot during the shooting period. It's interesting for me to be around him, we understand each other, he doesn't have to explain me what he wants me to do. And it's very much. At least, I don't have such contact with anyone else, although I worked with many famous directors.

- Some people still love and perceive you as cheerful romantic Kostik Romin from "The Pokrovskie Gate". Did young Menshikov possess the effervescence and unrestraint of his character?
- I was 19 then! Of course, there was ardour and everything! I grew into the role so naturally. The cast was great there - Bronevoy, Kozakov, Ulyanova, they accepted me into their circle very quickly. As for the fact that I am perceived like this… I guess there is nothing wrong in it.

- I am not saying that one and all perceive you like that!
- I just thought - what if they do? Every actor has a role of the kind. On the other hand, Mitya from "Burnt By The Sun" and Kostik have very little in common. Probably everyone wants to see me like that, because people are optimistic and joyous by nature. Somehow, reality makes people hide this feeling deep inside and be afraid to have fun, to arrange holidays. But such feelings should be encouraged, then they will bring us fun and joy.

- Do you often arrange holidays for yourself?
- I try to. For myself and for the others.

- Is there spare time for that, or maybe you have no spare minute?
- I have enough spare time! If I had my way, I would travel across the globe and watch. I haven't seen so many things yet; I haven't been to so many countries. Yet or already. I wish I'd act in a Hollywood film, earn lots of money and then spend two years traveling. And as soon as the money is over - back to Hollywood. And all the time like that.

- Digressing from dreams, how do you usually rest?
- In different ways. I can rest while playing onstage. I like reading. I think an actor must read a lot. And I get carried away with one writer and then - with another. Once it was Gogol. Then Dostoevsky. I haven't discovered Tolstoy for myself yet, hopefully one day it'll happen. Half a year ago I avidly read the whole Pelevin. He is a great writer. I even asked him to write a play for us. He is a good man, a bit strange, like every talented person.
"I longed to play Caligula"

- Now about the premiere. Was it your long-time wish to play Chatsky?
- Frankly speaking, I've never thought about it. It just happened that way. If I were sure some young actor could play this role, I would give it to him with pleasure. But I had to play myself and as it turned out, spectators love me! And they want to see me onstage. It was a surprise for me!

- Theatrical critics wrote loads of reviews - from rapturous to sarcastic - of "Woe From Wit". Isn't your heart bleeding for your own creation?
- It used to, but now I take it calmer. Unfortunately, now theatrical critique is dying out as a profession. There are, of course, brilliant representatives of this profession, but they are lost in the outburst of boorishness. That's why I prefer to discuss the performance with colleagues, to listen to their opinions.

- I assume, you will continue directing. Aren't you afraid it'll take too much time and strength, as it happened to Doronina, Efremov?
- I don't know if it'll influence my acting career. There were times when I got bored acting. Really! I think, I'll continue acting. I'd like to stage a modern play - a massive, deep one. The present is not only cesspits and homeless; it is the time we live in, and it's worth comprehension.

- In the theatre you played Ivolgin, Nizhinsky, Caligula, Esenin. Which of these roles is the closest to you?
- I longed to play Caligula. Fortune smiled on me and I met Peter Fomenko. This was the one and only event of the kind.

- What about the myth that all the actors are anxious to play Hamlet? Can't Menshikov do it?
- Hamlet! No, I guess I am not anxious. "Hamlet" is another story. The translation is not accurate. One should translate it again first.


"What's going on in my life is much more important for me than my profession"

- You didn't act in the theatre 5 years. Was it hard to return onstage?
- Professionalism is not connected with everyday acting onstage. You see, I acted in films, gained experience, those years were not wasted. If you have to act every day and you play something you don't like, it will hardly increase your professionalism. There are people who like playing five performances a day, that's OK. But I don't like it. What's going on in my life is much more important for me than my profession. There are people who forget everything - personal life, family - for the sake of career; I am not one of them. It is so, whether it's good or bad. I don't have a problem leaving theatre for cinema and vice versa. The profession is the same! I don't maintain form anyhow; there are, of course, some technical exercises before coming up onstage, but that's not the point. The best training for me is watching good films: Fellini, Visconti, Pasolini.

- What is the secret of your success?
- As Mikhail Chekhov said, personal charm is determined by proper living. Of course, I am not taking liberty to say I lead a proper life. An actor should think, watch, read a lot. That's the secret.

- Did your parents have influence on your choice of profession?
- No, but they made me fall in love with the theatre. When I was in the tenth form, a weird thing happened. Someone put a note with the rules of admission to the Drama School on my desk. I have no idea how that note appeared on my desk. I read it and went to take exams.