PRESS CONFERENCE – Roman Madyanov: “A film by Andrey Zvyagintsev is a whirlwind of talent”

The press conference for Andrey Zvyagintsev‘s film Leviathan was held today. The entire team was there to represent the Russian feature. Andrey Zvyagintsev was accompanied by actors Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Roman Madyanov, the actress Elena Lyadova, and Alexey Serebryakov. The producers Alexandre Rodnyansky, Sergei Melkoumov and cinematographer Mikhail Kritchman were also present. Excerpts.

Andrey Zvyagintsev on the film’s unusual subject matter: “A friend told me the story of a man who lived in Colorado and who revolted against a powerful enterprise. The man destroyed buildings before taking his own life. This story could have taken place anywhere. We transposed the story to Russia, and there is a precedent; ancient history. The story of poor Job, in the Bible. That’s where the Leviathan came from.”

The director talked about alcohol, omnipresent in the film: “When I showed the film to the Russian Minister of Culture, he said: Come on! We don’t drink like that in Russia! But how else could the character of Nikolay escape the horror that besieged him?”

Andrey Zvyagintsev said of the Russian Minister of Culture: “I am proud that our film received financial backing from the Russian government and that we were able to come to an understanding between us. I fully intend to stay in my country and continue to make films.”

Roman Madyanov told of his first impressions on his collaboration with the director: “I didn’t know him personally, and we discussed the role. As someone who has played so many corrupt police officers, I was curious about his proposal. But he is an infinitely talented director, and a film by Andrey Zvyagintsev is a whirlwind of talent…”

The actor Alexey Serebryakov on his participation in the film: “It’s thanks to my wife that I ended up on set! I knew that Andrey was a demanding director. But I must confess that I am thrilled to have been in his film. I agreed, and I can tell you, it was challenging. Even for a Russian: try to drink vodka for three months!”
 

Compiled by Hannah Benayoun