Maria Shumakova: “My main dream is to sit with a big pregnant belly and write scripts”

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ABOUT CHILDHOOD

I was born in Novosibirsk. At the age of 17, she came to Moscow to enter the theater. Fortunately, she did. I am glad that my childhood passed in Siberia, the Siberian frosts tempered my character. I went to a good private school, but I had to take a long bus ride. I remember how I walked early in the morning to the bus stop, and on the street there was a blizzard and 37 degrees of frost, and my mother covered me with her body from the weather. There is a lot of winter in my childhood memories, I love my native land. Altai is nearby, and the Altai mountains, in my opinion, have a special influence on a person.

In the second grade, I participated in the city competition “Theatrical Spring”, played the old woman in “The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish.” And it was such a strong emotional experience. At that moment, at the age of 7, I decided that I would become an actress. She was so afraid of misunderstanding that she kept her cherished desire a secret. She announced to the family only in the 11th grade, when it was time to prepare for admission to the theater. And there were also funny dreams, for example, I wanted my name to be Virginia. Funny. Now I live happily with the name Maria.

I have a trusting relationship with my older sister Elena. We are different, there are quarrels and misunderstandings, but we are still very close. She also lives in Moscow, with her husband and my little niece, and I love visiting them. These meetings are a sure way to be filled with warm energy, to switch to the main thing, human, valuable. I also have friends that I’ve been friends with since high school. They are my great support.

My grandparents were geologists, they built the city of Novosibirsk, including designing the subway. I remember how small I stayed with them in the evenings: the table lamp is on, my grandparents are working, and I watch them draw something, and it’s so good in my soul and calm. They had a large library, which I inherited along with my love of reading.

ABOUT CAREER

I felt popular when the series “Sweet Life” came out. They started to recognize me on the street. Then I lived an emotionally difficult period, unhappy love. There were moments when I was crying down the street, and someone came up to me with a request to take a picture. It was embarrassing: like an artist, but you are standing with a red nose and swollen eyes …

Now I’m studying at the film school “Industry”, I want to take place as a screenwriter. Of course, external recognition is pleasant and tempting. However, popularity has ceased to be of great value to me. Sometimes I turn down projects in favor of peace of mind. With age, there is some transformation – now I’m interested in focusing on simple things, true desires: hugging a loved one, riding a bike …

ABOUT LOVE

I’m not one of those who jump into a relationship like a pool with his head. It is important for me to soberly see what is happening, to answer the main question: how do I feel with this man? Therefore, probably, my relationship with my young man Slava did not develop right away – we have known each other for 8 years, and together only a year and a half. Like any couple, we have difficulties, because I am an emotional person, but I always feel support from him – perhaps this is one of the main qualities in a man for me. A sense of security, warmth, mutual interest in all areas – from sexual to intellectual. This combo is rare. I try to appreciate.

ABOUT FASHION

I have a fairly large wardrobe, it can be divided into three parts. Hoodies and jeans are the most comfortable clothes. When there are a lot of rehearsals, filming, I don’t get out of this “uniform”. There are basic things in black, white and gray colors. I have a bright appearance, and I like it when clothes are just a frame for a picture, like Tolstoy’s black velvet dress of Karenina. Once a season, I definitely buy two or three trendy bows. I usually consult with a stylist. But there are, of course, favorite brands that always fit perfectly. The main thing is to be both chic and comfortable. Then it’s definitely mine. Of the Russian designers, I used to love Alexander Terekhov very much, I miss this brand. Whatever the size, the clothes always fit perfectly.

ABOUT BEAUTY

My daily ritual is facial massage, cleansing and moisturizing. Masks at least once a week. But not against the injection, if everything is in moderation, and the result looks natural. I do botox and bio revitalization.

I love sports. I gain weight very quickly – in two weeks of vacation I can recover by 6-7 kg. And I drop it just as quickly, so I have clothes in several sizes in my wardrobe. Fasting days on juices or smoothies, training in the gym two to three times a week and Bikram yoga help me get in shape in a short time. I also like to run, and in the warm season I ride a bike a lot. The most important thing is that all workouts are high. And of course, sport helps to maintain the emotional background.

WHAT’S NEW

Now I have a super project in the works, which is still impossible to talk about, a film by a Russian director with a worldwide reputation.

The theater on Malaya Bronnaya recently hosted the premiere of Konstantin Bogomolov’s performance “Hamlet in Moscow”. I have an interesting role there – actresses. It is interesting that she was offered when I was once again going to tie up with the acting profession. When I opened the text and read it, I was shocked. Little remains of Shakespeare’s play. This is a deep and topical study of man. I agreed to the offer. Working with Bogomolov is always an exciting emotional experience, though not an easy one. And of course, the pumping of professional skills is grandiose. Konstantin Yuryevich is a powerful playwright, he pays great attention to the subtle acting existence on stage. It’s close to me.

This year I starred in a new film by Bakur Bakuradze – the experience is very special for me. Bakur played the main role. It was a happy process of pure creativity, when you feel that you are in tune with the director.

I myself am currently filming a short film “When I Become a Woman” – a very important study for me on the topic of female sexuality. In September, my single “Cold Summer” will be released, which, I hope, I will perform at my concerts. There is also an idea to release a course “How to speak with pleasure”. I have always enjoyed teaching people, and now I feel ready to share what I have learned through my professional experience and work in theater and cinema. And my main dream is to sit with a big pregnant belly and write scripts. This is the most important work that awaits me – not now, but in the future for sure.

Makeup and hair: Marina Roy
Producer: Oksana Raduga
Set design: Ekaterina Sinyakina