The picture, which gained popularity immediately after the screenings on the main channels of the country, is now included in the Golden Fund of Russian Cinema. This film can be called a classic of the comedy genre, because sparkling humor pours out of every hero of the river. This is not surprising, because talented actors were selected for the main roles. “Features of the National Hunt” is a film that has gained popularity not only due to the topical plot, but also due to the skillful work of the film crew and the originality of key characters.
"Features of the national hunt" - a comedy for centuries
The plot of the picture is simple and unpretentious: the Finnish journalist begins to write a book about the features and traditions of hunting in different countries. The first country on the list is Russia. A young intellectual falls into the company of seasoned hunters. Naturally, no important event in Russia begins without 100 grams of vodka. After drinking a myriad of alcohol, the brave company forgets the reason why they all gathered. Only the Finns are able to assess the situation. As a result, having understood all the nuances of the enterprise, men attack the trail of a large beast. The estimated production was that which, in the course of the play, turned out to be an ordinary cow. It's not that simple on this fun hunt.
The second storyline is beautiful views of the Russian "pre-revolutionary" hunt, with picnics and real catching of the beast. Raivo’s dreams of a real royal hunt intersect with reality, where “experienced” hunters completely forgot about catching the beast.
The plot is more than comical, each episode of the film is a separate comedy story. The director and screenwriter of the film is Alexander Rogozhkin, and the idea of creating the film belongs to Mikhail Kirilluk, who later became the director of the film.
"Features of the national hunt": actors and castings
In 1994, Alexander Rogozhkin began filming the film. As such, the casting did not pass. Almost all the actors in the film “Features of the National Hunt” are people who previously collaborated with the director. Viktor Bychkov and Aleksey Buldakov were involved in the previous Rogozhin film, so he knew their potential. The director immediately invited them to read the script and the roles in which he saw them. The crowd was attended by ordinary people, relatives or friends of the main characters. So, one of the milkmaids was played by the wife of Ville Haapasalo.
The main characters of the sensational comedy
After the release of the film, the public began to be interested in the question of who played the key roles in the film, who these actors are. "Features of the national hunt" and the heroes of the film immediately became popular favorites. Indeed, despite the impossibility of situations in real life, each viewer understood that, hypothetically, such a fiction could well become a reality.
Finn Raivo Haapsalo is an intellectual, writer who tried to recreate the traditions of Russian hunting. This role was played by the Finnish actor Ville Haapasalo. She brought him popular love and fame not only in Russia, but also in her homeland.
Alexey Buldakov - the celebrated General Mikhalych, leader of the hunters. It is he who takes the whole company to the land near the border. The general becomes a cult character thanks to his ironic logic and capacious toasts.
Victor Bychkov masterfully joined the role of a mysterious huntsman, fond of Japanese culture and meditation. On the site he was called - actor Kuzmich. “Features of the national hunt” is the film that became stellar for Bychkov. It was his character who communicated with the Finn and, most importantly, understood him, not knowing the Finnish language.
Semyon Strugachev played the role of Leva Soloveichik, a pacified and measured police lieutenant.
Zoe Buryak got the image of a milkmaid.
Previously unknown actors took part in the picture. “Features of the national hunt” is a film that made it possible to try on the role of a movie star for people who do not have GITIS and a theater school behind.
Interesting facts about filming a movie
Filming took place in a short time, in just a few months. Venue - urban type Protochnoe and its picturesque surroundings. An imaginary hunt was filmed in the city of Pushkin.
By the way, the main roles were played not only by famous actors. “Features of the National Hunt” is a film in which animals were involved as the real actors: three cows and a bear. One of the cows even swept in a plane on a hammock. None of the animals were injured during the filming.
To put the bear to sleep, he had to drink two bottles of cognac. But the beast turned out to be tougher than the film crew had expected, came to his senses and even bit Semyon Strugachev.
Actor Viktor Bychkov never wore a beard, he released it specifically for the shooting.
Director Alexander Rogozhin himself did not expect such a success of his film. Initially, he did not even conceive of it as a comedy. He wanted to shoot a popular science story, slightly comical. After watching the finished version, the director was even upset and called his brainchild a “wretched” child.
Remarkable is the fact that the film "Features of the National Hunt", whose actors showed themselves to be avid connoisseurs of this kind of entertainment, was shot with the participation of people who in real life are not keen on hunting.