We talked with the actor, director, WAC member Teymuraz Tania about the release of the “Once in Abkhazia” show, similarities with the main character and a clash of the patriarchal world with globalization.
Interview by Esma Golandzia.
- Teymuraz, the comedy series “Once in Abkhazia” was released recently. This is your brainchild, you are the author, producer and leading actor in the picture. What reviews have you already received about your work?
- The comments on the series are publicly open online. Negative opinions are also there, but they mainly come from our neighbors. For some reason, the Georgian citizens perceived the series painfully; perhaps this suggests that we are spot on. The picture reflects the fact that there is a state, albeit with its problems, that there is a rather charismatic Abkhazian world. We wanted to expose some moments through the prism of humor, to pay attention to them. We do not teach anyone, do not instruct anyone, we came up with a story that could happen anywhere - in any country, anywhere in the world.
- What about the rest, did they appreciate the humor, which is understandable and close to us?
- Just yesterday, people came up to me at the airport, left nice feedbacks about the series. They said that they missed our humor, because many remember us since the time of KVN, we had our own style. In any case, the one who did not like it did not come up to me (laughing). To be honest, I am satisfied with how the show was accepted.
- How did the idea to make a series come about?
- The idea arose long time ago. While still participants in KVN, we showed all kinds of miniatures and pantomimes on the heads of states, and people always liked it. When I told about my idea to the representatives of START (START - the Russian online cinema - ed.), they liked it, and we have already continued to nurture it with producer Alexey Trotsyuk. When the idea developed into the project, Babasik (Ruslan Shakaya - co-writer, one of the leading actors - ed.) and Tengiz Dzhopua (co-writer - ed) already joined us. The director Teymuraz Kvekveskiri shot the picture. In total, the whole process took four years.
- What difficulties did your team encounter during the filming?
- Different difficulties, but they were all insignificant. They helped us almost in everything; therefore, we quickly overcame all the difficulties. In Abkhazia, I am grateful to everyone: representatives of the authorities and many other people - everyone made their positive contribution, and this only motivated.
- Do you think there are similarities between you and the main character or is it a completely different person in character?
- Of course, he is different from me. The main character is a fair and just person; I cannot say that I am exclusively like that. In some ways, there is definitely similarity, but not in everything (laughing).
- In some heroes, certain representatives of the Abkhazian society are guessed. All the coincidences in the film are accidental or not?
- Depending on the place of work, people to one degree or another acquire a certain manner of behavior and even character traits, and, of course, they are somewhere recognizable. There are characters in which Russians recognize themselves. Still, it all depends on a person, his character rather than on geography. We also wanted to focus on the topic of clashes of the patriarchal society with world globalization, which changes the laws of nature. I mean the storyline with radioactive waste (according to the plot of the film, the government is going to bury radioactive waste in the mine, which can harm the ecology of the entire republic - ed.). At one time, when the jungle of the Amazons were cut down, it was a tragedy, but we also need to be prepared for this. We need to save our little Abkhazian world, environmentally friendly, with our traditions and customs. Trees grow in such quantities only in the mountains of Abkhazia. That is why, we have rivers and lakes, trees retain for us the whole ecology.
- Will the series have a continuation?
- There are some plans, we already write the script, prepare the second season. In general, we plan to meet in three seasons.
- If we talk about the Abkhazian cinema in general, how would you appreciate the current situation?
- We have many talented directors and playwrights, young people. All this has a very big prospect. I think that a generation of directors awaits us, as at one time there was a generation of writers, prose writers and poets, on whose works we grew up. Young people are very drawn to the sphere of cinema. I will say even more, we have plans to bring specialists to Abkhazia and hold master classes on various film jobs - make-up artists, directors, acting.
- If we have talent, what do you think, what is missing? Finance?
-Well, you know, if I only thought about finances at one time, I could not make this picture. Most importantly, desire and people, professionals of their field, or at least the desire for professionalism. Finances is already secondary. The first is the idea and desire to do it. Thank God, the younger generation is fantastic.
- Do you see yourself only in the genre of comedy or plan to master other genres?
- I would like to, but I am good in this genre, I have a lot of experience. However, to be frank, I never shot a comedy in its pure form, mostly mixed genres - drama, tragicomedy, but I still need to learn a little and gain experience before the drama. Therefore, for now we will work in this genre. But also, you know why I am against? So many things are happening in the world, so I want to bring some ease, at least 50 minutes to elevate people’s mood. I watched this movie to the end.
- Well, tell us, according to the law of the genre, it all should end well?
-I will still preserve the intrigue (laughing). Enjoy the show!
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