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Kirill Dytsevich: I’m madly in love with my job

27 May 2021
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In August 2021, the TV channel «Ukraine» will premiere a spectacular 4-episode melodrama «With the call of duty». The full production cycle of the film is carried out by «Kievtelefilm Film Company». The director of the series is Alexander Itygilov. And one of the main male roles in it was performed by the talented actor Kirill Dytsevich, beloved by the audience.

In the story, his character Valera is in love with the main character Luda, whose character is represented by the famous actress Marina Mitrofanova.

The couple have a warm romantic relationship and soon they are going to get married. However, the course of their measured and seemingly cloudless life is violated by a tragedy that occurres in the girl’s family. The main character’s father dies, grandmother ends up on a hospital bed, and the bank threatens to leave her without a roof over her head because of late mortgage payments. Luda is at the crossroads and looking for support from her young man, but Valera is not ready to shoulder the burden of problems of his beloved. And later even tries to turn her life into a nightmare altogether.

Our journalists managed to meet with the actor during the filming of the series and talk to him about working in a new project, acting and further professional aspirations.

All the details – further in the material.

– Cyril, tell us how your approval for the role in the TV series «With the call of duty» was held and what became decisive for you in deciding to participate in the project?

– For me, two factors were decisive: a rather interesting character, which I was offered to play and director of the picture. I already had to collaborate with San Sanych Itygilov before filming this series, so I knew his approach to work. He is a wonderful person and a true professional. On the first day of shooting, I didn’t even want the shift to end. Although, to be honest, I usually have some excitement at first.

– According to the script, your character at some point has an internal breakdown. In your opinion, is he a victim of circumstances, or does he inherently hide something ill on the inside and, in fact, is a shifter?

– Valera wants everything at once, but it never happens like that. In my opinion, in order for you to have something, or to succeed in life, you do not need to just sit and wait for it or build incomprehensible schemes and play with people’s fates. You have to work hard and be honest. At least with yourself. My character doesn’t understand that. He’s a real scoundrel. Looking back at the script, of course, you can try to seek some excuses for him, but in general, in my opinion, in life there is no excuse for such people. And I’d love the audience to take my character’s behavior as a model of how not to act after seeing the film.

– I understand you are trying to excuse him from the point of view of the acting profession…

– Yeah…

By the way, as my teacher said, only a good man can play the role of a scoundrel. I hope he wasn’t wrong (Laughs, – Ed.).

– Are you more interested in playing antagonists or protagonists?

– I’m interested in playing any characters. Whether they are positive or negative. Honestly. I like the process itself. I’m madly in love with my job.

Besides, whatever role you play, you always find something new that you can add to the personality of your character. I grow up, gain new life experience, watch what is happening around me and, based on this, try to enrich the palette of moods and characters every year. I hope I’m doing it well.

– Do you learn or adopt something from them yourself?

– Yes, I do. We even discussed this topic with our acting team during the filming of the series. And I said that even if you don’t «connect» internally, your character’s words still go through you and always leave a mark in the end.

I’m really changing for the time of filming. It seems that everything is fine, I come home after a shift, I understand that this is a role, but there is a process of realization of something new inside. And in this situation, the main thing is to steer it all in the right direction. So it wouldn’t go to the detriment (when, for example, artists are so immersed in one image that in the future can not get out of it), but turn out in your favor. In particular, for your own self-discovery.

– Watching the filming process of the picture, I noticed that while going to the stage and before entering the frame, you can, for example, hum a song, view the text while at it, etc. How do you prepare for a shift in general, and where is that line between you as a person, and the character you play? Do you «switch» right when you hear: «Lights. Camera. Action!» or does it happen much earlier?

– When in the evening I know that I have a shooting tomorrow morning, I already begin to prepare: I work with the text, think about what is happening to my character, etc. That is, I «play» the following day through in my head while going asleep. Not that I think of how will I play… No, I don’t know that for certain yet. But some internal processes are already beginning gradually.

On the way to the set I read the text again. It’s even better if we go together with the colleagues, because there is an opportunity to rehearse along the way. Then I go to get the make-up and at the same time I finally tune in… And this process, which takes place inside of me, lasts throughout the whole day. That is, I can not say that, for example, at lunchtime I am completely abstracted from the role and only «try on» my character’s image when going into the frame. Still, more or less, you’re mentally at work during all this time.

– So immersion in a role is a subtle internal process…

– Yes, it is. Sometimes even my colleagues come up to me during break and ask if I’m okay. But I’m totally fine. It’s just that at this time I’m still trying to arrange all of the material in my head. That doesn’t mean I’m sitting around thinking about it all the time. No, it’s not like that. But some internal process is still going on anyway. Something you imagine, something you speculate on, practice the lines of your character so that they become «yours» etc.

After the shift, even after arriving home, I can also be immersed in the thoughts on work. Think about whether I did everything right…

– So, the work is not over at the end of the shooting day?

– Not at all. The work does not end up until the premiere of the series. Even when you come for the voice acting, you still always think about the fact that perhaps it is necessary to correct some points. And when there are good, professional guys nearby who are really worried about the final result, when together you do everything for it to be worthy, everything works out. I would like to emphasize – exactly when the whole team is focused on it. Because cinema is a collective effort.

– Given such involvement, can we say that for you acting is a way of life? Or is it still a job?

– I haven’t completely defined it for myself yet. I can only say for sure that I once realized that this is exactly what I need. What I like and what I want to dedicate my life to.

At the same time, I now clearly understand that to be successful in this profession you need to be strong and patient. And those who think that they will break into it and set their own rules are wrong. This field absorbs everyone. It’s a job that won’t give you stability or some kind of inner peace. But if you strive for development, make efforts, constantly work on yourself and get involved in this continuous process, then something will work out.

– I agree that acting is really one of the most unstable professions. And sometimes it doesn’t only «hit» the financial part…

– But also the psyche, yes. Especially when it comes to male actors. The thing is, we’re actually much weaker than we seem to be. I generally think that women are the main thing we have. And it’s great if there is a smart, understanding woman next to you, who, in due time, will be able to tell you that you are strong and that you will succeed…

A lot of talented guys go nowhere and sometimes cannot cope with it. Because in our profession you have to step on your own throat at times in order to achieve anything.

– How demanding to yourself are you in your work?

– Not enough. I think I need to be even more demanding.

But, of course, for me it will never seem enough of what I do. Not in a sense that I don’t like something. I mean that you always want to go further and further, to master new heights, to develop and grow in the profession.

– And what is each new role for you?

– This is a new stage in life. After all, when you are given a role in a new project, you realize that soon, you may have to leave home for a month or more and continue to work. And all this is also a part of your life path.

– Do you have any requirements or preferences towards your partners in your work?

– I have never had any complaints about my partners and I will try to stick to this line in the future. Because, in my opinion, I have no right to tell someone about what to do and how to do it, what to play.

In the frame I always try to let my partner take the lead and in the meantime, of course, to implement something of my own, I work based on the available material, build my character according to the script. But I never interfere in the activities of my colleagues.

– What qualities do you think an imaginary perfect director should have? Describe his collective image.

– If we talk purely about qualities, it is restraint, responsiveness, the ability to understand and correctly perceive people, to not be offended by anything during the filming process.

In general, the directors have a rather difficult time. Sometimes it happens that I flare up – I scold them in anger, but then I stop and understand – they indeed have so many tasks. In addition to solving some technical, creative objectives, they need to organize the work process as a whole, to control the artists, each of whom is a person with his own character, views and preferences. That’s why the directors are the most important people on the set.

– Was there a place for mutual understanding between the actors and the director on the set of the TV series «With the call of duty»?

– We had a 100% mutual understanding, which is quite rare. As a rule, some rough edges still turn up during filming. Here though – everything’s perfect. And I’m not saying that for effect. No. There are always some nuances, but on this project the puzzle assembled so great that after the shift I was left so full of creative energy and strength that sometimes I could not sleep. And it’s an indescribable feeling.

– I think such moments further spur to work.

– Yes, they do.

– And what about the organization of the filming process? As far as I know, this is not the first time you have worked with the «Kievtelefilm» team.

– Yes, we have already worked together. It’s all good. And what I have noted for myself is the respect of the whole team towards each other. We didn’t have any overfamiliarity on set. Despite the fact that after the shooting we could have a snack together, during working hours there still was certain subordination, everyone was engaged in his own business.

– What is important for you in working on the set?

– The team. That’s the most important thing. Every year I am more and more convinced of this. And it is also important that no one has any envy or anger towards each other. That everyone also treats themselves correctly. You have to start with yourself.

– I understand that in addition to the film crew, this also concerns your colleagues in the acting field?

– Yes, of course.

– In this project, your partners on set were Marina Mitrofanova, Ksenia Lukyanchikova, Anna Ardova, Sofia Ardova. How did you work with them?

– You know, the first shift on this project flew by like a bullet. And when it was over, we started telling each other how cool the team actually turned out to be. And it was absolutely sincere, not just because we will still have to work together. Falseness is always easily felt… So, honestly, I was very happy that it happened this way. I just really want to share it. On the acting path there are different partners, but the actresses with whom we play in this series are simply amazing.

– What do you think is the idea behind the plot of the film «With the call of duty»?

– In my opinion, the main idea is that no material goods will ever replace or give us a happy life. Money is not the center of the universe, and happiness begins with the right attitude to yourself and others. We have to live, be grateful to God, and rejoice that we are on this earth at this time, that we are healthy. Everything else will come with time.

– For you, what shows how successful a project is?

– It’s not an easy question and I’m afraid to make a mistake or tell a lie when answering it. Because the world is changing very quickly, and I try to grow and develop professionally. And accordingly it may happen that in a week my opinion on this matter will change.

But, probably, thinking about the success of the project, the main thing is to not just chase fashion trends of the time, but to try to leave your mark in eternity. Take, for example, Soviet cinema. It’s impossible not to watch it. It evokes some special feelings. Even although it’s been years since it was filmed.

Therefore, our (of artists, directors, film companies) task, probably, is to create such a film product, which will make people feel something, remember something, rethink. And maybe even make them regret something. It’s very important. If the viewer gives some feedback, no matter positive or negative, it is already good. This means that the work was not done in vain.

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We will remind that the production of the four-episode melodrama «With the call of duty» by «Kievtelfilm Film Company» is commissioned by the TV channel «Ukraine». Filming of the series took place in Kiev and the Kiev region. Now the picture is in the post-production stage.

More details about the project can also be read in interviews with the performers of key roles in the series – famous actresses Marina Mitrofanova and Anna Ardova.

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«With the call of duty»

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4 episodes

Melodrama

Year 2021

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Screenriter: Nina Abrikosova

Director: Alexander Itygilov

Director of Photography: Andrey Shkir

Production designer: Vitaly Shamatienko

Costume Designer: Anna Krupnitskaya

Makeup artist: Aliona Dubina

Executive Producers: Pavel Karvan, Svetlana Karvan

Line Producer: Artyom Suliga

General Producer: Valentin Opalev

Producers of TRC «Ukraine»: Victoria Korogod, Irina Chernyak

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