Domestic cinema can rightly be called a storehouse of interesting and unusual works, sometimes shot in the genre that is absolutely not inherent in the established canons and reflecting unique cases and stories from the life of a Russian person. So, one of the unusual and rather creative decisions in both the presentation and the storyline itself is the film of the now well-known director Andrei Nikolayevich Pershin called âGorko!â. The 2013 film was an original project, which gathered a lot of fans and received a rather impressive amount of positive reviews from both ordinary viewers and famous Russian film critics.
About the creator
Andrei Nikolaevich Pershin (pseudonym - Zhora Kryzhovnikov) was born in the city of Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod Region. He has two higher educations - graduated from GITIS (directing department) and VGIK (faculty of production and economics). After graduation, he became a teacher of acting at VGIK. He showed his skills as a screenwriter at the ApART Theater. Later he worked on the TV show âYou are a Superstarâ, âStar Factory - Kazakhstanâ, âOlivier Showâ and many others. How the director first showed himself while working on the film "Bitter!" (2013).
About the genre
You can not take the film project "Bitter!" just a comedy movie category. This is a real folk comedy, shot in the style of "video from the wedding." The deliberate realism of the filming continues the line of popular works created in the same style: this is the series âReal Boysâ, the film âCurseâ and other films based on pseudo reality. Unbridled humor, endless sarcasm, the casus of situations and the saturation of the film with curiosities make it incredibly organic and lively.
About the plot
What is the story made by Zhora Kryzhovnikovâs film âBitter!â (2013)? The plot is built on the conflict relations of children and parents. Natasha and Roma are future newlyweds. They dream of a wedding organized in a Hollywood manner, with a minimum number of grandparents, with a guide to the altar on the seashore. Everything is very romantic, modern and unusual.
However, the plans of young people run counter to the plans of their parents. Natashaâs stepfather, Boris Ivanovich, as a man of a military gas station and as a former paratrooper, does not tolerate being contradicted. He wants the wedding to be held in traditional Russian traditions, with a host of hostages, with a huge number of guests, with competitions and a chasm of alcohol on the table. No one dares to object to him - neither the stepdaughter, nor the son-in-law, nor the parents of the son-in-law, who are not financially invested in the celebration. So, it was decided: the wedding will be held in a local entertainment venue - the restaurant "Cossacks".
However, Natasha and Roma did not compromise their principles. They came up with the idea to negotiate with a local DJ and celebrate the wedding exactly as they wanted: to paint at the altar on the coast, and the walk itself - on a cool yacht with all amenities. A partial celebration was planned with parents and relatives at the restaurant, and then, when everyone was already drunk and carried away by the process of celebrating, the bride and groom should quietly go to the wedding of their dreams. But something went wrong ...
Reviews for the movie "Bitter!" (2013) and the actors of the film are ambiguous, but many note the incredible organic filming and the absolute correspondence of the âinventedâ plot to current realities. Due to the rather believable and life situations that often accompany wedding events, Pershin's work is thoroughly saturated with the realism of what is happening. Relatives still noticed the absence of the newlyweds and went for them on a yacht. And the bride and groom themselves were in terrible bewilderment and indignation at the fact that the same DJ, with whom they had agreed to celebrate, invited a bunch of completely unfamiliar people. Unknown persons ate, drank, danced and walked at the wedding of Natasha and Roma, the existence of which was not even supposed. In a word, a solid mess - as, in fact, at most Russian traditional weddings.
The outcome of the film âBitter!â Became the cherry on the cake (2013): 2 different groups of guests met on the Black Sea coast, the secret of Natasha and Roma was revealed. The offended feelings of the offended relatives poured out at first into a verbal skirmish, and subsequently into grandiose showdowns using, so to speak, hand-to-hand combat. Naturally, here Zhora Kryzhovnikov could not miss the main component of any Russian party. And what kind of wedding without a fight?
The whole film is saturated with a purely Russian spirit, the director and producers are actively promoting the theme of national festivals. All humor is imprisoned for the specific life realities of an ordinary Russian family with their problems, morals and characters. Each episode is filled with humor and irony. And even despite the violence and fights in the final scenes, the movie looks easy and cheers up with its cheerful and fervent presentation.
About the actors
From the very beginning, the directorâs idea did not include the inclusion of the film âBitter!â (2013) actors whose roles were already known to the general public from other paintings. Andrei Pershin wanted the main characters to be played by people who have not yet become familiar with the audience of domestic cinema. And so it happened: the roles of the bride and groom were played by actors little known at that time, Yegor Koreshkov (Roma) and Julia Alexandrova (Natasha). However, the color of the film implied the mandatory inclusion of a public person in the program of the project, and this person had to play herself. Sergei Svetlakov in the role of the invited "star" cameo became a kind of humorous film symbol. A man who jokes without smiling causes a lot of positive emotions with his appearance and voice alone. I must say that, judging by the reviews of the film "Bitter!", Many viewers began to search for the film precisely because of the presence in it of the game of a successful comedian-actor. The expectations of many did come true, the movie is really able to cheer and cheer up. What else does a viewer need from a comedy movie?
Anna Matveeva as the friend of the bride Masha, Alexander Pal as the bald Khipar, Danila Yakushev as Semyon, Natashaâs boss, and many other actors were first seen by the audience in the film. But such personalities as Valentina Mazunina (performer of one of the main roles of the famous television series âReal Boysâ), Elena Valyushkina (a well-known actress from the multi-part project âUniverâ), Yan Tsapnik (Honored Artist of Russian Cinema, who played roles in such series as âThe Brigadeâ, âGangster Petersburgâ, âDeadly Forceâ and many others) - all these actors have once again shown their skills and showed an excellent game, which is simply impossible not to believe in.
About casting
Initially, the role of the stepfather of the bride Natasha was intended for Vladimir Mashkov, but his schedule did not coincide with the working schedule of the director Pershin, and he did not come to the casting. As a result, Jan Tsapnik took his place. The actor appeared on samples, arriving specifically from St. Petersburg. According to the director, on the fly he improvised a lot of rather strange, but incredibly funny and funny texts, many of which were subsequently taken as the basis for some episodes of the script. Like the character of the film, Ian Tsapnik had the opportunity to serve in the landing, and therefore join the command of the paratroopers, with whom he performs the composition âSinevaâ according to the plot, it was not difficult. The scenario involved a paratrooper wearing a thick long mustache. But, since the actor did not wear his own, it was decided to glue artificial ones every time before shooting. In his reviews of the film "Bitter!" (2013) viewers often celebrate his amazing play and ability to make laugh with just his comical frown.
Initially, the role of the main character of Natalia was to be played by a young actress, so that the bride was eighteen years old in the film, as was planned according to the script. They found the actress, but the producers wanted to check at first how shooting on the screen would look like in the style of a moquimentari (realistic video). There was no funding for additional test shootings and salaries for test actors, and then the director sent his wife, Julia Alexandrova, to try. The producer Ilya Burtz was not overlooked by a talented young actress, he directed the shooting for viewing Timur Bekmambetov (co-producer of the film), as a result of which Alexandrova was approved for the role of Natasha.
About filming
All the film was shot in just 23 days. All episodes were captured on the embankment in Gelendzhik, the village of Divnomorskoye and Novorossiysk. The director himself admits that in order to make the full film âBitter!â (2013) he did not seek inspiration in elite wedding magazines and glamorous luxury festivities, but for the most part from videos on YouTube. Pershin said in an interview that he does not like how films are made today - they contain too many untruths, overestimated ratings, nonexistent criteria and simply an abyss of pathos. According to the director of the tape, the people of Russia are not like that. Here people are much simpler, more natural, or something.
One of the episodes, which was supposed to reflect the scene with Roma, floating on a boat, and Natasha, who was waiting for him on the platform, was foiled due to adverse weather conditions. The platform itself was twice carried away by waves into the open sea, and the equipment on the pier had to be dismantled and assembled several times.
Particular attention should be paid to the songs from the movie âBitter!â (2013). Such famous compositions as âIcebergâ by Alla Pugacheva, âHijackerâ and âWedding Flowersâ ââby Irina Allegrova, âEverything will be fineâ by Verka Serduchka, âBatteryâ by Zhukov, âDrink Vodkaâ by Mikhail Krug, âChervona Rutaâ by Sofia Rotaru and a lot others. By the way, the singer from the movie âBitter!â (2013) also plays herself - this is the soloist of the Cappuccino group, Julia Tigeeva. And the scene with the passage of the excerpt from the Glory song âLoneliness is a bastardâ was completely improvised by Valentina Mazunina - this breathtaking and incredibly humorous dance was not included in the script, but the directors and producers liked it so much that it was decided to include it in the tape.
As for the interview of future newlyweds at the beginning of the film, with the exception of a couple of phrases, their speech is also a complete improvisation. Andrei Pershin more than once in his comments mentioned the talent of his wards and their ability to respond with lightning speed to their tasks.
About feedback
In his reviews of the film "Bitter!" viewers express opinions that are opposite in meaning, from enthusiastic statements about the A-Z-saturated tape to the harsh criticism associated with the indignation of many connoisseurs of traditional cinema with such an active "praise of the degrading generation."
What do we see in fact? A lot of people speak out about the movie in a positive way. Viewers note the incredible credibility, realism and relevance of the episodes presented in the film to the realities of today's life of Russian people. The breadth of the scope of Russian weddings, the curiosity of events arising during the festival, the crazy dances, the enthusiasm and fun caused by the general mood - all this makes watching a film with a smile on its lips to the very credits.
Many emphasize the virtuoso imitation of actors by the modern folk mentality. Each of the audience at least once was at someone else's wedding. Everyone saw how this happens, how everyone is having fun, dancing, getting to know each other during the celebration, and then, pretty much "taking it to their souls", reinforcing the fun with elements of a hooligan character against the background of family showdowns. The composition âSinevaâ, performed by Jan Tsapnik, from the first notes makes you involuntarily blur in a smile. And in general, in their reviews, many mention the appropriateness of musical accompaniment and the selection of really correct songs in such a thematic movie.
Moreover, some trace the raised issue of fathers and children in the storyline. The confrontation of generations and the ambitiousness of young people directed in the wrong direction played a role in the picture, once again making us think that parents should work and efforts should be appreciated at least out of respect for them, out of gratitude for all that they do. And they are doing everything exclusively in order to increase the welfare and well-being of their own children.
However, not all viewers were satisfied with watching the film by Andrei Pershin. Some of them are frankly surprised and express their bewilderment in the reviews about how such a film in general could gain such an amount of positive feedback. As opponents of this style of filming the comedy genre say, the film is crammed with a huge number of different incoherent events, pieces crammed into a common storyline. The confusion, inconstancy, indiscriminate reproduction of incoherent elements of the film is annoying, according to the haters, with its expressiveness. What can we say about the negative reviews that were caused by the "disgusting behavior of most heroes", "a terrible demonstration of a degrading generation", as well as the exposure of a Russian person once again in the spirit of a hopeless drunkard and rowdy. Some reviews openly criticize the director for the fact that he once again reinforces the already deep-rooted stereotype about the sound drinking and alcoholism of Russian society. âA film about cattle and alcoholicsâ - this is the stigma put by some disgruntled viewers of the sensational comedy.
About critique reviews
The opinions of critics are also divided. Reviews and reviews about the film "Bitter!" illuminate various positive and negative moments in the captured tape.
So, film critic Andrei Plakhov made a commendable speech, during which he mentioned the energy of editing, the selfless play of artists, the correct intonation between irony and condescension, sarcasm and favor.
Empireâs editor-in-chief was backed up by the opinion of his predecessor: he calls the film âBitter!â (2013) the best in its stylistic category among truly folk films. Unusual presentation, authentic, addictive picture, catchphrases - all this, according to the critic, is saturated with a catchy, bold challenge, but not vulgarity and rudeness, as "misunderstanding" viewers mistakenly perceive it.
Valery Kichin, editor of Rossiyskaya Gazeta, took the film a little differently. In his review, he emphasized that an hour and a half observation of the "bukh" characters is of little interest. He was supported by Elena Menshenina, a columnist for publications of Arguments and Facts, mentioning in her comment that clarifying Russian traditions is good, but âyou need to know the measure.â
About awards
Whatever it was, but the picture "Bitter!" became a nominee in several film contests and festivals of the domestic film industry. So, the film together with its creators and performers took part in the nomination âBest Filmâ of the âNikaâ award, as well as in nine nominations for the âGolden Eagleâ award:
- nomination "Best film";
- nomination "The best directorial work";
- nomination "Best Screenplay";
- nomination "Best Actress";
- nomination "Best Actress in a Supporting Role";
- nomination "Best Actor in a Supporting Role";
- nomination "Best camera work";
- nomination "Best film editing";
- nomination "The best work of a sound engineer."
In addition, the list of awards of the film "Bitter!" includes the âHollywood Reporter in Russiaâ magazine award in the âDebut of the Yearâ and âAdvanceâ categories, the âNikaâ award as the âDiscovery of the Yearâ and the award in the same category in the GQ Russia magazine.
About fees
Box office in Russia for watching the film amounted to more than twenty and a half million dollars. This despite the fact that the filmâs budget itself amounted to one and a half million. Thus, the filmmakers returned their costs in the form of profit from the release of the film in a seventeen-fold amount.
About continuation
In 2014, the continuation of the film "Bitter!" (2013). Part 2 did not cause such a resonance among the audience. Andrei Pershin, of course, expected if not such popularity, then at least close to it. In addition, after the first work, the second should have been interesting to fans of the previous series (2013). The actors of the film "Gorky 2" remained almost unchanged (we are talking about the main cast). Yan Tsapnik, Yegor Koreshkov, Yulia Alexandrova, Elena Valyushkina, Vasily Kortukov, Yulia Sules, Sergey Lavygin, Alexander Robak, Alexander Pal, Sergey Svetlakov and others reappear in the picture. With a budget of two and a half million dollars at the box office, the film raised just under thirteen and a half million. The filmmakers again made good money on their creation, although not with such success and not with such positive reviews from viewers and film critics.
In the second part, the plot revolves around Natashaâs stepfather (the role of the harsh former paratrooper was still played by Jan Tsapnik). He plunged into an unpleasant business story, as a result of which he had to imitate his death and funeral. Again, humor, again self-irony, again incredible and painfully funny curious situations described in the episodes, make the viewer plunge into the life of the characters and see their little world with all these comedic troubles and incidental incidents from the inside. In a word, the continuation of the first part, although it did not repeat its popularity, nevertheless brought its fruits in the form of a decent fee to its creators.