“Mikhail Efremov will come out sooner or later and end up in another country”

Although… Some (I won’t point a finger) I wouldn’t even let Vysotsky get close to him, I wouldn’t even let him sing his songs. Here I have my own criterion, my own selection, very personal. Yes, subjective, so I do not impose on anyone.

Among the speakers, of course, they did not show foreign agents – those who left. And yet there was not one person there – yes, that very one. Being at large, he always took part in “His rut” and lit it with all his heart. Of course, because Nikita Vysotsky is his friend. You understand, we are talking about Mikhail Efremov. Or have you already forgotten it?

TVC aired the film “Sentence. Mikhail Efremov. There is also another rubric for the documentary grid – “Farewell”. The main thing is not to confuse. “Too early to say goodbye, too late to forgive,” as one good song says.

He will come out. Sooner or later. If on parole, then soon. If he sits all his seven and a half, still not for long. For us, not for him.

As for us, Efremov will return to a completely different country.

And as for himself … I hope his beloved wife did not turn away from him. But the best friend, for sure. The best friend is Andrey Vasiliev, Vasya, the former chief of Kommersant, with whom Misha has been friends since childhood, from school. With whom he starred in the brilliant film “When I Become a Giant.” (Maybe this is generally the best Efremov role.) With which Citizen Poet did for many years. And what a success!

Vasiliev did not like the way Efremov behaved in court. Indeed, he was terribly. And stupid. As a bad artist (but in fact, an excellent artist). Who is a blank slate, does not think himself, but only repeats after the director, carries out his orders. There, at the trial, such a director was Pashayev, posing as a lawyer. Efremov completely surrendered to him, fell under his power, echoed his every word. Renounced himself, from his immortal “I”. He played a role, a bad role, went into complete unconsciousness. Was it a boy?

But how can you forget a friend? This is Andrei Vasiliev’s business, of course. But Misha will come out. Come out like a killer. Not out of malice, not out of intent – out of gouging. But a man, Sergei Zakharov, you can’t bring back. He died the day after the hit, whether intentionally or not. He is no more.

But Efremov is. And you have to live. Start a new life. Although the soul may have already died, even if it is immortal. “And mercy sometimes knocks on their hearts…” It will be Christian. Forgive me as a Jew talking about this. But we are people. Remember Raskolnikov. Dostoevsky so sensitively described the tossings of his sinful soul that we all and always sympathized with him. They could not help but sympathize, they felt sorry for the poor. Because man first of all killed himself. And doomed to eternal torment. And Misha?

Misha turns 60 this year.

“LAUGHTER AND JOY WE BRING TO PEOPLE”

According to “Culture” they showed the cartoon “The Bremen Town Musicians”. Not just like that, but in connection with the program “The Glass Bead Game”, where they discussed the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. This is a great show that needs to be discussed separately. In the meantime, “Bremen” …

What a miracle cartoon from 1969. Yes, he is over 50 years old. But what!

This is what true inspiration is. When everything converges, flies and soars. When the director, artist, poet, screenwriter and composer are in the same breath. And the songs, what songs! (Gladkov – Entin). And the painted faces: Morgunov and Nikulin – one-bo-bo … – robbers. And the ataman! And Troubadour – yes, such a guy lives. And the princess, and what legs! And the king is naked! And, of course: “Oh, the guards get up early.” How modern, bright, with overtones. Screenplay by Vasily Livanov, our Sherlock Holmes.

And the director? Do you know who the director is? And I didn’t know. Not Khitruk, not Kotenochkin, not Norstein and not Bardin – Inessa Kovalevskaya. She is now 90 years old, she is alive, guys. Covid was very difficult, but I got out. She also filmed “How the Lion and the Turtle Sang a Song”, “Katerok”, “In the Port” … Well, former children, remember, rejoice. And he hasn’t taken anything off in a very long time. Unfortunately.

And there is Oleg Anofriev. Oh what Anofriev! After all, singing was only a hobby of the artist, in his free time from his main work. But how! In “Bremen” he sang Muslim Magomayev himself, who in “Continuation …”: “I am a brilliant detective …” – remember?

Yes, there were people. And there is. Appreciate them while they are alive. Weep for them while they live. Inessa Alekseevna Kovalevskaya, this is for you. Thank you!

CLASSICS OF THE GENRE

Two people in the room: me and Bergman… Hey, there, on Friday! What are you doing?! First there was Tarkovsky, then Herman, Gubenko… And here is Ingmar Bergman, the best director in the world. For my taste. Although, I know there are other opinions. Well, it’s all ahead.

I never cease to admire: on the frivolous, teenage, teenage “Friday” they give such films, the cream of planetary directing. Yes, after midnight, but when did that stop anyone. “The Seventh Seal”, “Strawberry Field”, “Scenes from Married Life”, “Autumn Sonata”… Sit and watch, think, dream and enjoy. For those who do not sleep.

This is the right way to work with youth. Ugh, what artificial, bureaucratic words. But you can’t take words out of a song. Guys, you are expanding your consciousness. Learn to understand beauty. Sow reasonable, good, eternal. Finally, it means the time has come. Otherwise, we are waiting for a thoughtless generation.

And this week, you know who will be? Well, guess. That’s right, Lars von Trier. Hurry to see!