Experiencing Interruptions?

Actors and Actresses

Many people believe that acting is red carpets, star-studded festivals, expensive dresses, and luxurious tuxedos. But what is behind the glamour and glitz? What does it take to become an actor? The path to glory is long and arduous. Not all talent is destined for fame. Not all talent deserves fame. A lucky few reach the top, become recognizable, wealthy, and beloved. Many more live anonymous lives, never fulfilling their dreams.

This film was created on the basis of video self tapes and video business cards of actors that they themselves post on YouTube. Only self-filmed material, without prompts from behind the camera. These videos are edited and voiced by the actors themselves. My film is an experimental attraction, where I tried to put these disparate materials into one story, into the anthem of this complex and not always grateful profession.

  • Korniy Gritsiuk
    Director
    2018 - "2020#desertedcountry" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVLaRop1VOQ, 2020 - "Train: Kyiv-War" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbP8NPG6oFo&t=23s
  • Korniy Gritsiuk
    Writer
  • Korniy Gritsiuk
    Producer
  • Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, Elena Berkova
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Drama, Comedy
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 1, 2020
  • Country of Origin:
    Ukraine
  • Country of Filming:
    Belarus, India, Russian Federation, Ukraine, United States
  • Language:
    English, Russian, Ukrainian
  • Shooting Format:
    hd
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • ArtDocFest (International Documentary Film Festival) 2020
    Riga
    Latvia
    September 6, 2020
    Official Selection, Competitive Programe
  • Bardak 2020
    Kharkiv
    Ukraine
    October 28, 2020
Director Biography - Korniy Gritsiuk

Korniy Gritsiuk is a film director and screenwriter from Kyiv, Ukraine. He is 29 years old. Since 2011 Korniy works at Ukrainian TV-channels and Film Studios as a video editor and a screenwriter. As a film director he made several short films, some of them participated in international film festivals and were awarded prizes. His debut feature film is 2020#desertedcountry. This is an independent mockumentary story about how all Ukrainians left country. 2020#desertedcountry was presented in May 2018 on Molodist IFF in Kyiv in the International Program «Forma». The film also was selected for festivals and screenings around the world. Film was in Ukrainian film distribution and on TV. Since Summer 2019 Korniy works on his new film — documentary Train: Kyiv-War. This film is about passengers of frontline train in today’s Ukraine. This project was supported by Ukrainian Culture Foundation. Premiere planned in Summer 2020.

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Director Statement

For quite some time, I worked as an assistant director for actors on a large Ukrainian film project. In our film, more than 300 actors were filmed. I had to look for people for bit-parts, for crowd scenes, for supporting roles, etc. For six months, I put out dozens of ads, organized dozens of castings, and reviewed hundreds of actors’ videos. Some showed off their appearance or the ability to "act." Others demonstrated unique skills, such as a foreign language or the ability to use weapons. Very often the actors behaved as if they were on television, mimicking the stereotypes TV shows depict about the profession. Still, what is important is that these video business cards and show reels are all self-presentations; those filmed see themselves as “selling” themselves to the casting directors.

As the director, I will strive to get as close as possible to the actors without prying them for answers; only what the actors consider necessary to tell will be shared. Both completely unknown actors and people who have starred in Zvyagintsev films will be interviewed. All of them have to repeatedly prove their professionalism not only through showcasing roles they’ve had, but also by recording video business cards. Much of this material is available on open source platforms such as YouTube.