Garkusha played by Yevtushenko: there is no similarity

Director Semyon Serzin returned to the 90s and talked about the Ural poet Boris Ryzhiy

The premiere of the film “Red” by Semyon Serzin took place in the competition of the Festival of Contemporary Russian Cinema “Mayak”, held in Gelendzhik. It talks about the life of the Ural poet Boris Ryzhy. He was played by writer and musician Evgeny Alekhine. The episodic role of Yevgeny Yevtushenko was entrusted to the poet and singer Oleg Garkusha.

Boris Ryzhiy dedicated one of his poems to Yevgeny Yevtushenko in a red shirt. This was his vivid image that remained in memory. Now, when neither one nor the other is no longer in the world, they both appear on the screen. There are few similarities with real characters.

Yevtushenko valued Ryzhiy and spoke about this publicly more than once; he included him in his anthology of Russian poetry, where he remembered those who were undeservedly forgotten. It would probably be stupid to look for a portrait resemblance. We all still remember Yevtushenko, many knew him personally. Oleg Garkusha does not have the slightest external or internal resemblance to his hero. It would never have occurred to him that he could apply for this role. Garkusha has appeared in films more than once, including in the films “Khrustalev, car!” Alexey German, “I Want Too” by Alexey Balabanov, and most recently in “A Tale for Old People” by Roman Mikhailov. Another film with his participation was shown in the Mayak competition – “My Invisible” by Anton Bilzho. There Garkusha played a scientist who reads some otherworldly information and left the earthly world ahead of schedule. The rich texture of Garkusha attracts many. Sometimes it doesn’t even matter who he plays.

In the film, Serzina meets Red Yevtushenko on the move, after a performance in Sverdlovsk. The Ural poet will read his poem to him. It’s impossible to tell from Garkusha’s reaction whether it made an impression on Yevtushenko. Some routine phrases will be uttered as a sign of support, but an indifferent facial expression indicates a completely different impression.

Semyon Serzin, a good actor himself, has already directed his third film. Before that there were “The Man from Podolsk” and “A Similar Man,” where the main character, like Boris Ryzhy, voluntarily dies, and this role was played by Serzin himself. This happened because in the process of work it turned out that it was difficult to find a suitable artist, let alone explain to him what was required. Something important was not discussed with Garkusha. It is possible to understand that this is Yevtushenko only after his name is pronounced.

It’s easier with Red. Almost none of the spectators saw what he was like; at best, they read his poems. Semyon Serzin invited writer and musician Evgeny Alekhine to play the main role. He is very textured and expressive on screen and already has experience in film. Portrait resemblance was not particularly important here, as in the case of Yevtushenko, therefore there is more trust.