"High stakes" - a new series from NTV, touching on topics of organized crime and gambling from the point of view of modern Russian realities. The NTV channel, which has tremendous experience working with crime-related series, has released a very high-quality product that will appeal to all fans of crime stories.
Who worked on High Stakes? Actors, the director and the whole crew worked hard. As a result, a wonderful new Russian series was presented to the attention of the viewer. The article will focus on him, as well as on people who have made a lot of efforts to create the picture.
New face of organized crime groups
The series “High Stakes”, released in 2015, immediately attracted the attention of the public not only with high-quality directing and a realistic script, but also with very good actors. First of all, attention is attracted, of course, by Alexei Nilov, who became famous for his role as captain Larin in the cult series Streets of Broken Lights.
In "High Stakes" Alexei appears before the audience in a completely new role, perfectly revealing his multifaceted talent. Help him in this difficult matter, Maxim Dakhnenko, who pleasantly surprised the viewer in "Notes of the Forwarder of the Secret Chancellery", as well as Sergei Gubanov, hitherto appearing in films and on television except in supporting roles. In addition to them, Ekaterina Rokotova, Oleg Metelev, Nina Petrovskaya and others star in the series.
Alexey Nilov (High Stakes)
Although the protagonist of the series was precisely Borzov, who was perfectly played by Sergey Gubanov, was conceived, all the attention of the audience was “stolen” by Alexei Nilov. Of course, the Russian audience had no doubt in his talent since the time of “Streets of Broken Lights”, but few expected to see him in such an atypical, it would seem, role.
Nilov plays criminal authority Yuri Sergeyev, nicknamed the Cosmonaut. Recently released from prison, the Cosmonaut, through his people, owns a network of underground casinos spread all over St. Petersburg. The unsuccessful attempt, prevented by a casual passerby, brings the Cosmonaut to Borzov, who wants to get an illegal job. Despite the fact that the serial antagonists of the series are competitors in underground business and law enforcement agencies, the main conflict occurs between the Cosmonaut, who owes Borzov life, Borzov himself, and the Captain, the closest associate of the Cosmonaut, who does not trust the new subordinate of his boss.
It is in this field that Nilov’s talent manifests itself fully: despite the cosmonaut’s crime and criminality, Nilov managed to show him as a full-fledged person who has a concept of honor, duty, and even mutual assistance. In the most intense scenes requiring one hundred percent return, Nilov drew all the attention of the audience to himself, and quite deservedly. Perhaps the role of the Cosmonaut will not become as cult as the image of Larin, but he will definitely bring his share of fame to the actor.
Dakhnenko Maxim
Mostly theatrical actor Maxim Dakhnenko, who has recommended himself on television with roles in such series as Notes by the secretary of the secret office, Survive After, and Leningrad 46, plays the role of Captain, the trustee of the Astronaut, in High Stakes. Despite the fact that the cliche of the closest associate and subordinate criminal leader in the cinema implies a minimum of emotions and often carries a negative color, Maxim easily breathed life into an often two-dimensional image. Despite the seeming lack of emotions during the first few episodes, as the conflict with the character of Sergey Gubanov grows, Maxim Dakhnenko fully reveals the potential of his hero. As if going against stereotypes, Dakhnenko did everything possible so that the image of the Captain did not end with unquestioning submission and loyalty. Despite the fact that his role in the series is not as big and emotional as that of Gubanov and Nilov, Dakhnenko coped with her one hundred percent.
The series "High stakes": Sergey Gubanov
The de facto protagonist of the series Kirill Borzov, who was embodied by Sergey Gubanov, is a provincial young man who does not hesitate to earn a living as a criminal, as well as communicate with various marginal elements, such as the prostitute Elena, with whom he has a relationship. A very heavy burden was placed on the shoulders of Sergey Gubanov - to be a partner of the outstanding actor Alexei Nilov on stage, while not sagging against his background. Fortunately, Gubanov coped with his task 100%: fears about the "newbie" did not materialize. Despite the relative simplicity of the prescribed image, Sergey got used to the role well, and there are no moments causing a desire to scream “I do not believe it!” In the series.
Of course, you shouldn’t be cunning: Alexey Nilov “steals” screen time and the attention of the audience for most of the series, however, Gubanov was not deprived of difficult emotional moments, which he coped with perfectly. His apparent simplicity and willingness to enter into a relationship with Elena conceal a much deeper character than seems at first glance. It is worth noting the conflict with the Captain, just as convincingly played by Sergei, because both in dance and in the on-screen conflict, a return is required from both.
TV series director
What makes the High Stakes series a success? The actors did an excellent job. It is impossible not to note the merits of the director, who not only participated in the filming, but actually gave life to the entire series. Despite a very weak start in feature films with his infamous film “Supermanager or Hoe of Fate,” director Bogdan Drobyazko rehabilitated himself in the person of the audience with a series of very high-quality TV shows made for the NTV channel. Particularly distinguished are “Retribution” and “Heavenly Relatives,” who have recommended him as a good director in the genre of crime. One way or another, it is worth noting that "High Stakes", according to the audience consensus, is his best work at the moment.
Film crew
Who else worked on the High Stakes series? Actors and director are already known to you. Now it is worth noting the work of the entire crew. Andrei Tumarkin was responsible for the High Stakes scenario, who had previously written stories for more than forty TV shows and films. Noting primarily the work on “Alien District” and “Leningrad 46”, Tumarkin considers the crime genre to be his professional credo.
The cameraman was filmed by cameraman Stanislav Mikhailov, who had worked on the film “Road Patrol” for nine seasons. Camera work has also been done with dignity and is commendable.
The series "High stakes", the actors, the director and the entire crew of which worked at a high level, is worthy of your attention. Happy viewing!