Oleg Menshikov is a star in Russia, showered with theatre and cinema prizes. He is credited with 17 films. One more time, thanks to Mikhalkov, we find him again on the top of "The Barber of Siberia" bill. At 39, Oleg has the smile of an eternal student and seduces by his airy frankness. If there is a common point between the cadet, madly in love with beautiful Julia Ormond, and his interpreter, it's the stubborn fidelity to his intimate convictions. When Andrey Tolstoy goes through Mikhalkov's generous epic like a quixotic "Candide", the feverish shooting doesn't seem to have upset OM's serenity.

"There were problems every day, spring that came a month and a half earlier, when we had to shoot winter scenes of the Shrovetide Fair and the ice on the lake melted dangerously. But, frankly, I had so many other concerns like training at sword, keeping in form and learning my text in English, so I left the monopoly of the worries to Mikhalkov!"

"The Barber of Siberia" is the third collaboration between two of the most idolized stars in Russia. This collaboration began when Oleg "shined" at the Shepkin Drama School. Then he launched out into the cinema with "Kinfolk", without giving up the theater. In 1994, he glittered in "Burnt By The Sun", a film by Mikhalkov, that praised his qualities of "the complete devotion to the director".
Oleg formulated the idea of the profession corrected with a burst of laughter:

"Everything depends on the director. Really, with Nikita, we succeeded to find a common language. However, it's possible that in his opinion I always am a yesterday's student. And I have nothing against it, I am quite willing to remain like this for him."

As for the international fame predicted by Mikhalkov, Oleg doesn't care much about that:

"I had never taken this into account while choosing the films and I refused -I don't know how many - offers from the West. The only things important to me are the screenplay, the harmony with my intimate convictions and human relations."

That's what should delight Regis Wargnier, with whom the actor has just finished "East-West". There was just one regret - the language barrier, which didn't allow him to enjoy deeper relationship with his partner:

"I had already experienced this frustration with Julia Ormond and this situation happened again with Sandrine, with whom I talked in an English. But I am grateful to the team because they did not weight me with the burden of my ignorance of the French language".

Rather reticent to analyze the problems endured by his native land, Oleg relies to "The Barber of Siberia":

"I have the feeling that today such values as honour, dignity and respect towards women - disappeared and I think the declaration of love for Russia - even exaggerated - is opportune at this moment when we hear so many negative things about our land. Mikhalkov says sometimes that this film is not only about what happened in the past but mainly about what should be".

So, are you proud to come to Cannes to defend this work presented hors concours?

"Cannes, it's a madhouse. Finally, the only exciting thing is to climb the famous stairs and I am ready to come back every year if I'm invited (laughing). The rest is unbearable".

Well, and what about becoming First Minister, if Mikhalkov accedes to the presidency of Russia as he is credited by 20 per cent of the Russian people?

"Oh, my God, no!!! Or (joking) in such a case, to be the chief of something without having any work to do. Look, Minister of Tourism and Holidays, it's just what I need".