In order to love one, you have to have one. The ban on Russian series on Ukrainian TV added a significant refinement to this simple thruth - the one you have has to be no worse than in neighboring countries. TV channel ICTV used summer off-season to prepare couple of Ukrainian premieres. So, it's time to talk about "Nikonov and Co.".
The story, produced by FILM.UA and Mamas Production, is based around one Ukrainian investigator Sergei Nikonov, who becomes disabled in the first episode.
While the first scene was shot, I searched for a person who could tell me all the backstage secrets. So, I talked to the executive producer of the project Dmitry Slobodyan.
- Dmitry, there are three companies working on the project. Tell us about the division of responsibilities.
- This is a partnership project, so all the decisions are made in cooperation. There is no clear division. The approval of scripts, budgets, images were made together.
- Who will own the rights?
- Tricky question (laughs). To be honest, I do not have a precise answer.
- What about the casting? The team had to develop image of the main character or first you found an actor?
- Casting was funny. Initially, we shot a pilot, and that's when director Zaza Buadze saw Kobzar and decided that he was perfect for the role of Nikonov. In the same way Zaza found Robert Feldman. We also liked them because the actors perfectly got into their roles.
- Whose was the idea to put main character in a wheelchair? Is it possible to register this idea as a format and sell it?
- Of course, we hope to get a good product that can then be sold to other markets. However, we did not create something unique, it's a detective who can be shot everywhere. The only thing that makes it truly unique - it's quality. We've gathered here for one reason - to create our native product that will appeal to viewers.
- Did it take long to find a director?
- It did not happen immediately, but in the process of communication, we found all the people who think in the same way. That's the thing that guided us: if there is a vision that coincides with ours - it's our man.
- Where else will shoot except for pavilions?
- Yes, in general, no surprises: houses, streets, offices...Of course, everything will take place in Kiev.
- Have you thought about second season?
- We hope that people will enjoy this product and give us green light to continue the shooting. Anyway, we'll have to see the ratings first.
- Who owns the idea of the series - channel or production studio?
- The idea belongs to Mamas Production. Productions came up with his idea to the channel, and start negotiating.
- Each episode is a separate case, or the plot is horizontal?
- There are both horizontal and vertical lines. For example, throught the season there will be talks about Nikonov's recovery, as well as the development of his relationship with Dr. Ravinskaya (Marina Konyashkina). At the same time, each episode is one criminal case and its investigation.
I will tell you another little secret: before the injury Nikonov had a wife, but the disease has complicated their relationship. As a result, the main character was forced to move out to his parents' apartment.
Speaking of spying. Since Nikonov himself unable to stroll quietly through the streets, he was given an assistant - a very young, inexperienced, but already mustachioed guy named Alyosha Skrepkov.
Finally, the scene is shot, and the way to the main character played by Alexander Kobzar is open. However, whether due to a busy schedule or still playing his role, Alexander was not very talkative. According to him, he doesn't get into the character: it's a myth invented for the audience. For Kobzar it's enough to come to the set and start playing. He has no superstitions about the disability of his hero, actually a wheelchair was the main motivator to come to the casting.
- I am very concerned about the social component of this role. At the same time, I believe that this topic is not disclosed enough in the plot, rare scenes are affected by it. I would like to have more emphasis on the individual, on the fact that the character is disabled and how he lives with this in our society.
As you can see, there are enough mysteries and intrigues around the detective series. A 16-episode series will premiere this fall on ICTV.
