Yuri Kolokolnikov became the star of the YouTube show “Sokolovsky Podcast” and spoke about working in American cinema. Speaking about his collaboration with the famous director Darren Aronofsky, in whose film “Red-Handed” Kolokolnikov played one of the roles, he could not contain his admiration, describing this experience as one of the most meaningful in his life.
It was a great luck to work with Darren and with such a team, – said Yuri.
At the same time, when talking about collaborating with another famous director, Christopher Nolan, on the film “Tenet”, the actor expressed deep respect for his talent, but also noted his high standards. According to Kolokolnikov, Nolan is very “focused” on the filmmaking process, and his attention to detail can sometimes overshadow his concern for the comfort of his crew members. This creates a certain tension, and working with such a director becomes a real test both physically and psychologically, as his project requires complete dedication and devotion.
When the actor touched on the topic of the Oscars, he expressed himself very ironically. He noted that for him, the very presence in this field is important, not the awards.
If you’re already here, thank God, he said on the show.
Kolokolnikov also admitted that he is interested in projects both in the West and in Russia. After graduating from the institute, he realized that international cinema opens up many opportunities for him, and his knowledge of English became a significant advantage. He has worked both in Russia and abroad, allowing him to easily adapt to various working conditions. Nevertheless, the actor emphasized that his cultural background remains Russian-speaking, and it is this that forms the foundation on which he builds his career and continues to develop. He believes this environment is most familiar to him, and it is precisely this that shapes him as a person and as a professional. Kolokolnikov doesn’t rely on any specific country for his work, as acting is essentially a freelance profession. He noted that he understands that projects can come and go, and therefore it is important not to dwell on geographic location but to focus on movement and constant work.
I know very well what it’s like to get a job, especially in film. “Therefore, for me, it doesn’t really matter whether I play a bad Russian, a good Chinese, or someone else,” he admitted.
The actor explained that the filming process is generally the same everywhere, but the key difference lies in the level of competition in the industry. In the West, directors face a huge number of specialists and significant budgets, which requires careful consideration of every step. Meanwhile, in Russia, the situation is the opposite: there is a shortage of personnel and limited financial resources, and this forces creators to seek unconventional solutions and approaches to work. Therefore, the actor emphasized that for him, it’s not just the opportunity to act that is important, but also the process of filmmaking, which requires a creative approach and a willingness to embrace new challenges. He believes that working in film is constant movement, and this is what makes the acting profession so exciting and multifaceted.
