Every year, Russian cinema presents new and interesting projects with the participation of famous and just starting career actors. Nevertheless, the actor who has captured the minds of not only the audience, but also the directors today remains Danila Kozlovsky. Each film with his participation is a hit. What is the secret to such success? What is charisma, acting talent or the ability to competently choose roles? Perhaps this is a combination of qualities and a bit of luck. In March 2015, Danila again shines on the screens in the movie "Duhless 2". Reviews from viewers and critics are different, and yet many believe that the story is a success.
Sergey Minaev and his “brainchild”
In 2006, the famous Russian presenter, writer and businessman Sergei Minaev published a book called Duhless. The author himself presented it as a tale of a fake person. Minaev's work received a wide response among fans of his work and spurred interest in his person among ordinary people. And when a film was made about the tragedy of modern man based on the work of Minaev, they started talking about him nationwide. Initially, the author did not plan to release a sequel to the book. But, apparently, the commercial success prompted the talented author to work on a continuation of the picture under the same name "Duhless 2". The sequel received no less enthusiastic reviews from both critics and viewers.
Film background
Apparently, the honored producer and just a man of good taste, Fyodor Bondarchuk, seeing how much interest Minaev’s book aroused, decided to recreate this story on the screen and invited him to direct the film of the equally talented Roman Prygunov, who had previously shot several controversial films. Having picked up a brilliant team, the producers shot an interesting modern drama that makes you think about friendship, fidelity, humanity, love and the many components of the life of real people. The first film raised $ 15 million at the box office and became one of the most successful films of recent Russian cinema. This is probably why the filmmakers decided to continue the story of Max Andreev and Russian society as a whole and began work on a sequel. The film “Duhless 2”, reviews of which are ambiguous, was recognized by many movie connoisseurs as a worthy continuation, and Fedor Bondarchuk himself said that he was very happy, because the film is more like a separate product, because you can watch it without any background.
Downshifter
As Sergei Minaev admitted, he had no idea to write a sequel, and yet he became the author of the script. "Downshifter" - that’s what the next film about the fake person was supposed to be called. Almost before the premiere, the producers, having conferred, nevertheless decided to leave the old name. The movie "Duhless 2" from a commercial point of view sounded more reliable.
How was created
Work on the second part of the film began in 2013. The script was remade and modified several times. Not only Sergey Minaev worked on it, but a whole team of writers - Fuad Ibragimbekov, Andrey Ryvkin and Mikhail Idov. An interesting fact: without the fascinating story of Duhless 2, the cast could change dramatically. The main star of the drama - Danila Kozlovsky - for a long time did not confirm his participation in the continuation of the film. According to the actor himself, he was waiting for a “catchy” story, because, as a rule, he does not act in sequels. The director’s chair was taken by the already beloved Roman Prygunov.
The film "Duhless 2", reviews of which were still ambiguous on the eve of the picture, was shot in picturesque places on the island of Bali and at Moscow shopping and entertainment venues, in fashion boutiques and business centers.
Plot of the film
The new Duhless tells the story of the former metropolitan top manager Max Andreev, who gave up his former life and went to Bali. In this paradise, Max begins a new life, reinterprets values and misses his homeland, or rather, his beloved girl, Julia, who refused to accompany him on this voyage.
Under the weight of the circumstances, Max was forced to return to Moscow. Over the three years of his absence, much has really changed. Other capital, other figures, legal business, and the girl Julia is already the wife of the capital's billionaire.
Max again falls into a fascinating detective story, only a real person can get out of. It is thanks to the exciting plot of "Duhless 2", the reviews of the audience about which are mostly enthusiastic, today is the leader in the Russian box office.
Danila Kozlovsky - Max Andreev
It's no secret that the picture gained such popularity not only thanks to the plot, but also to its main highlight - Danila Kozlovsky. Max Andreev performed by this actor has become the new sex symbol of Russian cinema. The actor himself admits that, probably, many of his colleagues dream of playing such a character, because he has many different qualities - intellectual, romantic, pragmatic, brave, witty, friendly, indecisive. In general, a little of everything, and most importantly, that this is a person of our generation. An interesting fact is that in the current film, new characters and actors are involved. "Duhless 2" is connected with the first part only with the storyline of the protagonist and his lover.
Duhless 2: cast
At the premiere of the film, the main producer Fedor Bondarchuk admitted that he was glad that the film was practically not connected with its predecessor. This picture can be viewed separately from the first part. Indeed, observing the development of the plot, you understand that "Duhless 2", whose actors and roles practically do not overlap with the previous part, is a completely independent film. Of the familiar faces, only Danila Kozlovsky and Masha Andreeva, who played a secondary role in this film, as the scriptwriters decided not to focus on the hero's love experiences.
The main intrigue revolves around the professional activities of Max, and here completely different people are involved.
Roman Belkin is an unlucky surfer to whom the protagonist saves his life at the very beginning of his acquaintance, turns out to be one of the directors of a state-owned enterprise, and he draws Max into a new game with big capitals. This role was played by the Yugoslav actor Milos Bikovic.
Another young talent of the film is Alexandra Bortich. She embodied on the screens a secular lioness from the province, who achieved certain heights thanks to her mind, perseverance and beautiful body. For the game in the movie "Duhless 2" received the most enthusiastic reviews, not only from the audience, but also from experts in acting.
Pavel Vorozhtsov, who played the general of the Economic Police Savelov, is already known to the audience for his roles in many domestic series. He dealt with the task masterfully. His hero from a lost sheep of law enforcement agencies grows into a real defender of respectable citizens.
There are also interesting performers who took part in the film "Duhless 2". The actors and roles of the second part, even secondary ones, are people who have already managed to fall in love with the public: Sergey Burunov, Vladimir Simonov, Kristina Babushkina, Igor Vernik, Pitar Zekavitsa.
Duhless 2: Premiere
The landmark event in Russian cinema - the premiere of the movie "Duhless 2" - took place on March 5, 2015. But the most interesting action dedicated to the release of the film, with the participation of all actors, producers and the film crew, took place on March 3, 2015. A pre-premiere screening took place at the Oktyabr movie theater and gathered only a polished Moscow audience. Movie and pop stars in the most beautiful outfits came to pose for the paparazzi and enjoy the new film. Joseph Kobzon, Nikita Mikhalkov with his family, Glukoza, Timati, Mikhail Efremov, Pavel Astakhov, Philip Kirkorov is only a small part of all the celebrities who attended the event, of course, the main stars are the actors of Duhless 2, who tirelessly gave out smiles, took pictures and dedicated the audience to the subtleties of the film before the show.
Duhless 2: reviews
The premiere was a success, critics appreciated the positively new film about a fake person who still wanted to change the world around him for the better. As for the box office, it’s too early to say, many cinemas of the country will broadcast the film within a few months. The first news is that in almost 6 weeks of rental, the picture managed to raise more than $ 7 million. This is not surprising, because "Duhless 2", in whose roles the stars of domestic and foreign cinema starred, can rightly be called one of the best films of 2015.
The feedback from the audience cannot but please the creators of this picture - they are positive, negative, but not indifferent.