As filmed "Sweet Woman"

• How to shoot the film "Sweet Woman"

13 years ago, 15 May 2005 at the 57 th year, ended the life of a wonderful theater and movie actress, People's Artist of Russia Natalia Gundarevoj, which was so popular that it is often called the most folk of all the people. She played many prominent roles, but her first major role was in the film Anna Dobrokhotova "Sweet Woman", due to which her movie career went to take off. But this might not happen - at first, the actress refused to shoot, not considering themselves neither "sweet woman", not one of those beauties, which are usually invited to a major role.

"Sweet Woman" script was written based on the novel popular in the 1960s. Velembovskaya writer Irina, who was called "Shukshin in a skirt" and the founder of women's psychological prose. Her books are then published in enormous editions and translated into foreign languages. Velembovskaya daughter Xenia told: "In recent years, my mother had an affair with a" thumbnail ". One day she came back shocked. He said that in the samples of "sweet woman" was attended Vysotsky and Gundareva. I was sure that the movie will be extraordinary. " However, the result did not live up to her expectations: Vysotsky has not starred in a film, the script made many edits. But the audience was not disappointed: the premiere of the film in the year 32 million people watched.

Oleg Yankovsky as Tikhon and Vladimir Vysotsky, who gave up this role

In the role of intellectual Tikhon director Vladimir Fetin only saw Vladimir Vysotsky. However, the actor was too busy schedule: just at the time he starred in Alexander Mitta in the film "The Tale of How Czar Peter Moor married", also was busy in the theater, and every day it was painted by the minute . Nevertheless, he found time for screen tests, which were very successful, and it was cast Tikhon. Director of "Lenfilm" wrote a letter to the Taganka Theater with a request to release the actor at the time of the shooting. He was allowed to appear in their spare time, but at the last moment refused to Vysotsky himself. Fetin had to quickly look for another actor, and as a result the role went to Oleg Yankovsky. Today, in this way it is difficult to imagine someone else.

The first major role of Natalia Gundarevoj

Problems have arisen with the search for the main character. The director had planned to shoot as Anna Dobrokhotova his wife, actress Lyudmila Chursin, but she did not see himself as the "sweet woman" and she suggested to her husband's candidacy young Natalia Gundarevoj. Prior to that, she played a major role in the movie and I think it is quite understandable and fair, "Alas, I have the invoice is not the most suitable. In the theater, it is always need young beautiful heroine, and I - a full, loose, embarrassed himself. "

The director and he doubted that it will cope with the role, because the main character was supposed to be not only attractive and confident in his own irresistible, but at the same time to cause the viewer is not contempt for its commercialism and primitiveness, and pity and sympathy. At the same time she had to play Anna Dobrokhotova and a very young girl and a mature woman. A Gundareva was not sure of his abilities and was horrified when I saw myself on the screen. After the film "Hello and Goodbye", she lamented: "It is a complete nightmare! The screen has not yet been invented to put my strength! ".

When Gundarevoj call with "Lenfilm", she resolutely refused to screen test with the words: "And you have seen in my life .. Because, as I think I it is unlikely you'll go?". For the young actress, who previously starred in episodes only, such behavior was illogical - this chance fell! And in this film, she really really wanted to play. But later, the actress explained: "After all, because of my, shall we say, certain external data rely on a leading role I have not. It was hoped that, maybe I'll take in some funny comedy episodes, because the invoice was juicy, lush, Few extra pounds, rather bright ... But the main role - is unlikely. "

Still assistant director managed to persuade the actress to come to sample - say, even if it is not suitable for this role, Fetin will find her a job in his other films. But all fears were unfounded - in the frame Gundareva looked easy, graceful, inviting and incredibly attractive. She was cast immediately. Learning of this, the actress, in her confession, experienced a "puppy dog ​​enthusiasm." She began to refine the image, coming up to him more and more new features.

The actress watched those women, she seemed like her heroine, in the streets and in the shops, trying to memorize and reproduce their gestures, facial expressions, manner to move and speak. Gundareva recalled: "The first major role necessitated creative rampage. All that by this time in me matured, all I knew about life, about people - all wanted to push in this job ... I've seen her "sweet woman": synthetic fur coat, green krimplenovoe dress, slightly worn heels ... My character does not behave the way I do, but to make their feelings and reactions, I have to imagine myself in their place. But this is impossible without their own everyday luggage, without load experienced ... In Anna, I would not only expose her selfishness and spiritual satiety, but also that the viewer felt her loneliness and fear that she hides behind the carpets and sofas ... ". And her performance tough Philistine looked really charming and makes the viewer to empathize.

After the film's release 28-year-old Natalia Gundareva woke up famous. According to a survey of the magazine "Soviet Screen" be recognized as the best actress of the year, "sweet woman" was the launching pad of her creative life, the film was rolled into the Soviet leader in 1977, it was bought for the show in many countries around the world.