In the TV series “Driven” Dmitry plays small-time crook, devoid of any notions of responsibility. It’s funny that in previous projects the actor with no less conviction had turned into investigators and detectives, wearing historic uniforms and on the stage played in classic plays. Hard work combined with luck on vivid images made Dmitry Lysenkov one of the most recognizable actors of his generation. And St. Petersburg sense of humor clearly helps not to treat everything that happens too seriously.
On set it’s hard to imagine what the movie will eventually happen, but probably have some expectations about the final result. In the case of “Drove” is it everything you expected?
— the series Itself had not yet seen because I am now in Karelia, in the woods, on the lake, here there is no TV. But then, of course, take a look. In General, expectations changed in the process of filming, because we had the first one script, then it changed.
Viewers often think that acting in Comedy is very funny…
— to be honest, I don’t remember Comedy, the shooting of which would give a reason to laugh. Even if we are talking about comedies successful. Here at the rehearsals sometimes funny, but then it should be moved to the Playground, and there is still production. Generally acting “splits”, that is, when people play and laugh, I watched very little. Recently on the TV show “Makarov”, where I play with Pasha Mike, this happened. On the set of “Driven” we were joking mainly on the organization of the process and about our expeditions.
— unlike many of my colleagues, you have the chance to work even in conditions of isolation. The audience could see you in the TV series “Cursed days”, filmed on the technology of screen-life. There are different opinions about how interesting to see such a staged video. What were your impressions?
— This kind of cinema really is limited in its expressive means. But there’s another screen-life, which is quite a lot of the action happens on the laptop screen, and the plot develops there. In our case it’s more of a video, just a conversation between two people. But I was interested to participate. It’s pretty rare in our cinema when funny already at the script level. Usually you just see some perspective, as you can do funny, but to tell the text… Probably it happens only in Seeds Slepakova. We worked on the TV series “house arrest”, and I left a very good impression.
— With “House arrest” you’re definitely in luck. Similar series for our industry remains very rare…
Yes, you can say that I pulled the waittlevy ticket.
— how often are you lucky?
— can’t complain. Of course, luck is quite a lot of my own work, but some momentous event happen against my will. So, guess I got lucky.
— Many viewers recognize you in different comedies. How do you react to the fact that you may have the role of a comedian?
— I don’t consider myself a comedian, and in the theatre I have a very different role. For example, Raskolnikov is not a Comedy character. And in the movie I started with roles of neurotics, people who did something wrong and then repented and cried. But when he appeared in the series “Poor people” in my life, just another phase, and I began to play more and more Comedy. But before it was filmed mostly in drama and crime movie.
Can you talk about what playing in the theater Raskolnikov or someone like that and acting in a sitcom, you use different acting “muscles”? Or is it all about the same work?
— the Specifics of working in the theatre is different from film shooting. It is, perhaps, a different profession, and certainly a different level of training. In the theater you can stumble, they see this, but you have the opportunity to improve and in the end to steer. The biggest challenge of filming a movie is the ability to focus to such an extent that nothing distracts you. If the theater fell binoculars or a crispy candy grandma is already a catastrophe, the filming around you is always something going on. You should come and play what you need. And pay no attention to how close I put the light as you correct costume, and the Director says something into the radio on your task. Need some “channeling”, so it is all theatre artists working in film.
— Now the kids want to go to institutions, and around the Studio boils traditional hype. What do you think, now to become an actor or actress is a good idea for a young man or woman?
— If you feel that you want and can, and most importantly — you have nothing to talk about, of course, good. And if you plan to sit for the C student in the back row, then maybe not necessary. Such slackers in film and theatre we have enough. So, gentlemen, slobs don’t do theatre, we do not need you.
If I am not mistaken, you arrived in the theatre the first time. However, it was during the time when parents, especially if they are not related to the theatre and cinema, it could be noted that, they say, not a very manly profession…
— I was not dissuaded, and my parents accept my choice, if not with understanding, then with calmness. In General, the profession is good because it is always possible to leave and go to other, “normal” University. And there are plenty of people who realized that if not folded, you do not need to batter these locked doors. I thought: if you don’t pass the first time, then I will try for next year, and if then not work, then try no more.
— so you had a plan B?
— If did not work with the theater, then went to the pros.
You and your wife, actress Maria Zimina, raising two daughters. And they probably have a chance to become “inaccessible to children” with the prospect of an acting career…
— fortunately, they were not “behind the scenes children” because we didn’t take them with you to work in the theatre. The eldest daughter of nine years, never spent time behind the scenes. And the youngest has never not been there.
This is your fundamental position?
— I don’t really want children there were. There is a lot of such that they do not need to see and hear. And children distract you from the work. I can’t both work and take care of children. Why would they get bored in the dressing room? Better sit at home.
— Apparently, thoughts about the actors in the family you have not visited?
— I will not resist if they choose this profession, but it is too early to say. They starred in “Cursed days”, and to some extent liked, but the youngest did not like at all. Maybe this experience will take her from it immediately and for years to come (laughs). But to be honest, in my childhood, no acting ability was not observed. And daughter is not yet gravitate to theatrical circles.
— Now set is slowly returning life. Your time after the holidays are already booked?
I really hope that until the end of October will be very busy. Further plans also have, however, contracts not yet signed. But under good circumstances, maybe until spring I will have a lot of work.
