The domestic drama of 1999 gathered a large number of spectators. The story of an old man who, due to lawlessness and indifference of others personally punishes criminals for a committed act against his granddaughter, formed the basis of the film “Voroshilovsky shooter”.
The actors of the picture fully felt the tragedy and drama of what is happening on the screen. The film is based on the novel “Woman on Wednesdays” written by Victor Pronin. “Arrow” was also appreciated in the West - in 2009 the English film “Harry Brown” with a similar plot was released. Undoubtedly, it is pleasant when good Russian projects are taken as the basis for other paintings.
What is the meaning of the film “Voroshilovsky shooter”? Actors, characters and the success of the picture will be the objects of research in this article.
How “Woman on Wednesdays” became an object of lynching
“Woman on Wednesdays” is the best work of Victor Pronin. In the arsenal of the Russian writer of the detective trend there are many other remarkable works that deserve attention. However, they wanted to turn this particular story into a full-length film, such as “Voroshilovsky shooter”. The actors of the film with trepidation recall the work on it, because it did not pass unnoticed by them.
The focus is on ordinary people.
The plot of the tape tells the story of the life of a former railway worker, a participant in the Patriotic War, Ivan Afonin. His only joy is the modest, kind, positive in all senses granddaughter Katya. Residents of the house, on the contrary, teenagers Igor and Vadim, organize entertainment events every Wednesday, causing girls of easy virtue.
Once they guard Katya and rape her. Realizing that justice cannot be achieved, her grandfather gives the last money for a rifle and organizes lynching over rapists ...
Search for truth, search for actors
The script was worked by Stanislav Govorukhin, who sat in the director’s chair. According to him, this picture, which is considered one of his best works as a director, is dedicated not to revenge as such. It has a greater meaning - this is a picture of actions committed in the name of justice.
The actors of the film “Voroshilovsky shooter” became a key link in the process of its creation. At first, artists playing secondary roles were approved. The difficulty arose in the selection of leading actors. Govorukhin for a long time could not decide who to give the main female image to - the students of Katya, the granddaughter of the hero Mikhail Ulyanov. He suggested that Ulyanov himself choose between Julia Nachalova and Anna Sinyakina. As a result, the role went to the last.
“Voroshilov shooter”: actors and roles. Mikhail Ulyanov as himself
One of the brightest classic actors of the Soviet era, Mikhail Ulyanov, was born in 1927. A native of the village of Bergamak, he is the owner of the highest state awards and prizes. Even during his lifetime, he was talked about as a talented actor who was not afraid to take roles of any range: drama, grotesque, pathetics, circus clowning.
His filmography includes images of strong-willed people, strong leaders, cowardly representatives of the lower class, such as Yegor Trubnikov from the “Chairman”, Georgy Zhukov from “Liberation”, Dmitry from “The Brothers Karamazov”, playwright Esenin from “Themes”, ex-husband from the film “ No Witnesses, ”General Charnotha of The Run. The image of the grandfather-avenger from the “Voroshilovsky shooter” replenished this list.
Few people know that life circumstances forced Ulyanov to accept this role. Outside the screen, he remained a loving grandfather and also worried about his granddaughter. Get used to the image he helped his own experience. What he was in fact, such, in fact, appeared in the film “Voroshilov shooter”.
Actors, including Anna Sinyakina , recalled what support Mikhail Alexandrovich provided to everyone on the set. The group moved to Kaluga, where she lived during the filming period. Ulyanov later said that on the example of his hero, a simple old man with immutable values, society saw its insecurity and soreness.
For the young film and theater actress Anna Sinyakina, the role of Katya Afonina became decisive. Before that, she appeared in the image of Princess Olshanskaya in the parable “Full Moon Day”. Stanislav Govorukhin, along with Mikhail Ulyanov, approved her in the Voroshilov Arrow long before she graduated from the acting academy. After this film, Anna’s career went up - they began to offer her new roles, which she happily agreed to (Taxi Driver 2, Viola Tarakanova, Ward No. 6). One can rightfully say that “Shooter” has become for Anna a real ticket to acting.
Minor characters and actors of the film “Voroshilovsky shooter”
The drama is not limited to the relationship of grandfather and granddaughter. In parallel, the life of law enforcement officers is shown .
People's Artist Alexander Porokhovshchikov played a police colonel, father Vadim, one of the rapists. The picture clearly shows the dramatic line of his character, who, on the one hand, is angry at his son who has committed a crime, on the other hand, is trying to “hush up” the case, because he understands what consequences it can lead to him.
The investigator Shevelev was played by Vladimir Semago, the role of the prosecutor went to Georgy Martirosyan, and Vladislav Galkin played Alexei Podberezkin. It is this character, the local district police officer, who helps Ivan Afonin. In particular, he hides the rifle as a weapon of crime. The captain of the police, Koshayev, performed by Sergey Garmash, is also involved in the picture. The roles of rapists were performed by Ilya Drevnov, Alexei Makarov and Marat Basharov, the future sought-after stars of Russian cinema.
The ceremony of the film award “Nika” in 2000 could not do without mentioning the film “Voroshilovsky shooter”. Actors, in particular Sergey Garmash, received nominations, as did the picture itself. Mikhail Ulyanov became the winner in the category "Best Actor".
From Old Russia to New - One Step
A simple love story for loved ones, able to do anything to restore stained honor, found a response in the hearts of viewers. They undoubtedly gave their recognition to the work of Stanislav Govorukhin “Voroshilovsky shooter”. The actors and the roles of this powerful drama revealed all the realities of life: impunity, inhumanity, a way to get away from justice, not to be deservedly punished ... The picture touches and at the same time shocking, leaving a moment for long reflection. Its feature is that it has retained relevance in our days.
Without a doubt, “Voroshilovsky shooter”, whose actors (photo is attached) created a wonderful ensemble of young and eminent stars, can be safely called the pride of Russian cinema and the best film of 1999.