You can talk about this series for a long time. One of the expected projects that started on the eve of 2014 turned out to be so successful, proving that good films can be born in Russian cinema, despite the fact that the plot does not take place in modern Russia. The series has received many significant awards. With his great success, the name of the director Valery Todorovsky, the son of a famous filmmaker, who based on personal memories created a picture of what he is experiencing emotional closeness, is associated.
Cinema about cinema
To show all the ins and outs is both dirty and interesting. So you can reveal professional secrets that are best left behind the scenes. On the other hand, any viewer will be happy to see how art is performed. “The film industry from the inside” - perhaps this is how you can characterize the key idea of the series “Thaw”. The content of the film did not cause much difficulty, because before Valery Todorovsky there were pages of history that could always be re-read.
According to the creator of the project, he dedicated it to his father,
Pyotr Todorovsky, choosing the time when he made his first creative steps as a period of narration. In addition, in the memoirs of Todorovsky Jr., fragments of events and facts were preserved, which he boldly included in the plot. Answering the question of whether there are prototypes of the film “Thaw”, Valery, first of all, says that he did not set out to show famous personalities. On the contrary, he harmoniously mixed images and characters, so that the viewer had to draw parallels, guessing the features of a certain person. So, among them was the former head of Mosfilm, the deputy minister of cinematography, directors and cameramen, of course, and Todorovsky Sr. Thus, the prototypes of the film “Thaw” did not carry a reflection of modern culture. The whole range of characters turned out to be saturated, as close as possible to the beginning of the 60s.
Back to the past
In 1962, the first film by Pyotr Todorovsky “Never” was released, where he acts as a director. This period is associated with the beginning of his long professional career, and it was at this time that Soviet filmmakers, the heroes of the film "Thaw," live. Todorovsky, Jr. returned there before.
The script of the film “Above Dark Water” transferred to the Leningrad of the 60s and told about the life of three creative people: a poet, artist and director. In 2008, Valery puts on “Hipster” - a youth movie about a
youth subculture that was just emerging in Soviet times. The idea of the Thaw came after meeting the creator of the American television series Mad Men, Matthew Weiner, who, exploring his father’s occupation in the advertising world, came up with a whole project about the life of an advertising agency from the distant sixties. The film "Thaw", reviews of which was yet to be found out, according to Valery, became the most significant in his current career, representing a tribute to Soviet cinema. He also became the first television project for him, before which he did not work in the genre of multi-series paintings.
Internal cinematic difficulties
It would be unfair to limit ourselves to a simple demonstration of the off-screen life of Soviet cinema. The plot of the film “Thaw” is riddled with love lyrics, which will occupy its niche in it. The narration is focused on cameraman Viktor Khrustalev, who, after the tragic death of his friend, finds an unapproved script, realizing that the future film promises to be a “bomb." In the meantime, he needs to make the comedy “The Girl and the Team Leader”, which tells about the collective farm life of a small village. His new acquaintance, a young director Yegor Myachin participates in the filming. On the site is also present the ex-wife Khrustaleva Inga and the novice actress Maryana, who becomes the object of passion for two men at the same time.
Reliability - in the details
Twelve episodes of the series were shown on Channel One from December 2 to December 13, 2013. In April 2014, a DVD and Blu-ray release was released. Reviews of the film "Thaw" Todorovsky still had to find out, but critics' ratings were more important. In order to make them warm, the creators' tasks included the maximum reproduction of all the details. The requisites bought up antique things that you no longer find in modern stores, and costumers sewed hundreds of costumes. All of them corresponded to the spirit of the 60s, but Todorovsky wanted to get away from thorough reliability, believing that at first it should be beautiful. The two main characters - Inga and Maryana - were awarded the greatest number of things for their wardrobe. The actress of the film “Thaw” Anna Chipovskaya admitted that she had changed more than twenty-five outfits. Dresses provided for other attributes - stockings, belts, corsets, underwear. Such everyday equipment created the required silhouette. Therefore, the actress possessed a slender figure and gladly put on a “rarity”, even when frank scenes did not provide for this.
Such work of costumers gave rise to well-deserved praise of viewers who loved the film "Thaw." The reviews repeated more than once that insignificant details help carry over into the Soviet era, such as, for example, the music of Konstantin Meladze (who worked with Todorovsky on “Hipsters”) and most of the songs performed by the actors. Or Victor Khrustalev’s car, the red Moskvich, whose idea, by the way, was taken by Todorovsky from his real childhood. A peculiar “trick” was poetry, sounding at the end of each series. And before the launch of the series on air, Channel One showed videos where actors read poetry by Gennady Shpalikov and Bella Akhmadulina.
The film "Thaw." Reviews and general opinions
After the series went on air, it was to reap the benefits of its work. In particular, the play of the main actresses, who, against the background of their other partners on the set, unsuccessfully “moved” in time, seemed unnatural to many viewers. In general, the essence of the film “Thaw” conveyed the spirit of the Soviet man, regardless of his age or occupation. As noted earlier, estimates of his colleagues remained important for Todorovsky. Browser Yuri Bogomolov complains about social networks in which they practically find fault with the film, citing little historical authenticity, while critic Irina Petrovskaya expresses the opposite opinion, considering it wrong to perceive it not entirely, but only in the search for such inconsistencies.
Deserved praise, significant rewards
One of the main cinematic awards was “Nika”. The thaw took the prizes of the Association of Film and Television Producers in several categories, including: “Best Mini-TV Series”, “Best Director's Work”, “Best Cinematography”, “Best Music”, “Best Work of Costume and Make-up Artist” ”, As well as“ Best Actress ”, inherited by Victoria Isakova.
In 2014, the Thaw was awarded the TEFI Prize. Despite the fact that actors Victoria Isakova and Evgeny Tsyganov were nominated in the nomination "Best Actor", the award went to Mikhail Efremov. Other nominations included “Television Producer” (Valery Todorovsky made it) and “Best Television Series”.
The film and the Golden Eagle award did not pass by. Prizes went to the categories “Best Series” and “Best Roles” to Evgeny Tsyganov and Victoria Isakova. Anna Chipovskaya and Alexander Yatsenko received prizes.
Drunkenness is a battle! But the main thing is in another
After the first episodes, social networks were full of indignant posts about the overabundance of some of the items shown, for example, sex, smoking and alcohol. Not understanding the audience’s indignation, the creators succinctly answered that similar things were in the sixties. Similar 60s, as well as their own truth about them, everyone has. A corresponding charge of violating federal law was brought to Channel One, and Vladimir Zhirinovsky suggested completely removing the project from the air. Be that as it may, the film “Thaw” (a photo of this is confirmed) is a story about people who want to be happy and beautiful. According to viewers, behind the veil of tobacco smoke, it was more important to consider the main thing - versatile human relations, which many forget about when evaluating the film.
Female, the most powerful images
The series with equal success boasts the presence of female characters. Reviews of the film "Thaw" Todorovsky mostly positive in relation to the game of actresses. So, Anna Chipovskaya managed to convey the transformation of a naive girl into a real bitch, which is especially noticeable against the background of the always incomparable Victoria Isakova. The cameraman Lyusya Polynina, performed by Yana Sexte, stands out in contrast with her complexes, differing in her amazing strength of forgiveness, and Svetlana Kolpakova got the role of Nadia, a well-bred simple woman who firmly believes in ideals. Among others, one can also note the daughter of Asya Khrustalev, who, due to her teenage years, has yet to “spoil”.
Thaw of the spectator soul
The series was a great opportunity to enjoy playing a “movie about a movie”. But it’s not only the actor’s game that won the audience’s recognition, the film “Thaw” is distinguished. The reviews speak of creating a unique surroundings, it is striking in the scale of the unfolding filming, streets and courtyards, Soviet trolleybuses and recognizable architectural monuments. The film is saturated with sound, which allows you to create an atmosphere of lightness. The images of the main characters are thought out in detail, including outfits and hairstyles for women. The thoughtfulness of each character and his involvement with the others are especially felt. The transmitted spirit of that time, and not a realistic reflection of the Soviet era, a sense of the era and visual beauty - these are parts of the foundation on which the Thaw series is built. Reviews of the film call it the greatest episode of modern history.
Film about us
It's hard to imagine “Thaw” in a single movie or series. This is something more. The whole story, retelling of the author and main witness Valery Todorovsky, who goes into dialogue with the audience. Each of them received a new opportunity to return to the past. And if this is difficult, then at least believe and feel, looking from the TV screen.
All characters are individual, without dividing into good and bad. For their simplicity, they seem complicated, but before starting the discussion, it is worthwhile to draw parallels with oneself, because partly the Thaw is a mirror that makes it possible to see yourself.
The main thing is the atmosphere
The main strength of the series is to show ordinary people who, perhaps, like the current cinema generation, want to create a good movie with all its best and soul, imbued with a variety of feelings. From pain to hate, their life consists in the desire to create. The realities of Soviet life remain the only tone sustained throughout the film, which remains almost unchanged compared to the action itself, remaining unique and worthy of attention.
Unconditional success
Undoubtedly, this film stands out among the mass of stamped projects. He rightfully has every chance to stay in the audience's memory for a long time. And those who have not seen him, will certainly be satisfied with the acquaintance. The finale left a pleasant aftertaste and a bit of intrigue, hope for some continuation. The picture is full of love - sincere, passionate, expressed to relatives and friends, children and friends, art and the motherland. “Thaw” (the content of the film and the integrity of the plot) is distinguished by the quality and depth of approach to work. A wonderful production based on the personal experience of Valery Todorovsky.