Elizaveta Nilova on the filming of “Military Police”: “Fought for life at the bottom of the lake”

Over her more than twenty-year career in cinema, Elizabeth, of course, has accumulated considerable experience in a wide variety of filming, but, unfortunately, few people succeed in laying straws everywhere in this process. However, the specifics of the acting life of Elizabeth is familiar from childhood. When parents (Alexey Nilov and Anna Zamotaeva) and even grandfather (Gennady Nilov) are directly related to cinema and theater, the child lives practically behind the scenes of the magical world, understanding well how this wrong side works. In the case of Elizabeth, the wrong side, apparently, was not frightening. The uncertainty of the beginning of the 2000s also did not embarrass the girl when choosing a profession, and from the very first roles in theater and cinema, Elizaveta Nilova did not regret her choice.

In a conversation with MK, the actress discussed dangerous stunts, haters on the Internet, old Soviet cinema and a famous surname.

– You definitely won’t be scared by action-packed projects, but “Military Police” is clearly not one of the simplest series with your participation. Judging by what happens to the characters, it seems that the training took almost more time than the shooting. How did you prepare?

— It was quite a long process. As soon as the acting team was approved, we began to work with the current FSB officers. We learned to use personal weapons, mastered hand-to-hand combat techniques, I had separate scuba diving lessons …

– Probably, even at the stage of reading the script, you realized that it would be difficult. Have you thought about giving up?

“Our service is both dangerous and difficult. The theme of the series, of course, lays in itself various difficulties. In general, this movie is about people who can do things. They are not just fighters who functionally perform tasks, but individuals who live a complex inner life, it is interesting to watch their destinies. So I didn’t have any doubts. We all knew what we were getting into, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to experience the hard work of people in this profession.

– Shooting such films from the outside is perceived as a great adventure in the spirit of “Cossack robbers.” How often did situations arise in which one could be seriously scared?

The series was filmed for almost six months. And it was a very intense time both emotionally and physically. My heroine was thrown out of the truck on the move, she kicked the windshield of the car, fought in hand-to-hand combat … I performed all the stunts myself and I am very grateful to the director Maxim Dragoy for his trust, help and care. The underwater scene was the hardest for me. With my hands tied behind my back and with a heavy load tied to my legs, I had to fight for life at the bottom of the lake. The scene is quite long and complex, not only physically, but also dramatically. We shot it all day, and for me, it was probably the hardest moment. And the director Vladimir Koifman, and the instructor and stuntman Ivan Nazarov, of course, were very worried about me – as for the only woman in the team of heroes of the series. Everyone tried to take care of me…

– The series has already found critics who are always dissatisfied with something. It can be assumed that other projects of yours caused not only enthusiasm. How do you feel about online swearing?

– I do not study the Internet and do not consider myself a person dependent on some kind of comments. There is very little good writing. Those who would like to say something nice rarely share it. But I believe that there are more such people than those who are always dissatisfied with something. I have always been surprised by people who, without even seeing the finale of the series, already express negativity literally out of the blue. For some reason, we like to give advice. I have never heard advice given to a surgeon or an opera singer. And for some reason everyone knows how to make a movie …

— In your filmography there are dozens of projects ranging from melodramas to historical films. To what extent do your films and series reflect your personal tastes in cinema?

— I love old Soviet cinema. I respect, adore and simply idolize the actors of the older, bygone generation. They starred in special films. They have an amazing atmosphere of kindness and naivety in the best possible way. It happens that I also watch new items on different platforms. I follow the work of my colleagues, and I am curious about their projects.

– In addition to cinema, you successfully realize yourself on the theater stage. Many of your colleagues sometimes draw a clear line between theater and cinema, speaking of theater as a much more serious art. How do these two industries fit together in your career? Is it possible to say that in the theater and cinema you feel like you are in completely different jobs?

— It is one profession, but two different worlds. I wouldn’t call one of them serious and the other entertaining. If you work in the theater, then cinema is not a hobby for you. This is hard work, which probably implies any other profession. But the theater is something constant and true. But cinema is the opposite. Today it is, but tomorrow it is not. You can have a good dramatic scene on set, but once it’s done, you’ll never do it again. And in the theater, a performance can be played for many years, and each time it will be different. I love cinema for new people and for meeting those with whom I have already worked. But it is the theater that helps to be in constant acting training.

– You continue the acting dynasty, and the fact that you have chosen this path has its own logic. Have you had a chance to build a career in an industry that has nothing to do with film or theater?

— I never dreamed of the professions that children usually dream of: flying into space, driving a tram, becoming a cook, and so on. Even at school, I participated in performances, went to different studios, and, having received a diploma, I could not even imagine myself somewhere other than a theater institute. We have a big acting dynasty, which is not limited to my dad and mom. Grandfather was also an actor, like his famous uncle Pavel Petrovich Kadochnikov. My parents did not influence my choice, they respectfully accepted it. As a result, I graduated from the theater institute, in 2007 I was accepted by the theater named after Vera Fedorovna Komissarzhevskaya, where I serve faithfully to this year.

– At the beginning of your career, were you embarrassed by your well-known surname?

– Of course, there were headlines in the spirit of “Cop Larin’s Daughter.” But I am proud of my surname, I honestly do my job and I don’t want to prove something to anyone. Let me be accepted as they see fit.