5 unexpected facts about the new comedy series “Prosto Mikhalych”

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“Funny uncle”

Often, during the filming of films and TV shows, the final name, under which the audience recognizes the project, does not appear immediately. Just such a story happened with “Prosto Mikhalych”. Series working title — “Funny Uncle” But for the announcement, something more sonorous was needed. The authors thought for a long time, but could not decide on the final version. Actor Pavel Vorozhtsov unexpectedly came to the rescue, with whom the authors had something like this dialogue:

And the series will be called — “Funny uncle”?

No, we’re still considering options. Can you suggest something?

Yes, just Mikhalych!

The irony is that Vorozhtsov did not include the word “simple” in the title, but director Yevgeny Korchagin decided that this perfectly characterizes a character who is very simple, but only at first glance. Imagine how surprised Pavel Vorozhtsov was when he came to the reading and saw the final version of the title? But the authors were even more surprised when they realized that the actor actually meant a little differently. However, this is how the name was born, without which the series about a cheerful uncle from the village can no longer be imagined.

Crocodile Dundee from…Siberia

The reference for creating the image of the protagonist unexpectedly served as a cult movie character from the eighties, whose role was played by Australian actor, Golden Globe winner Paul Hogan. Crocodile Dundee — this is a stern uncle from the provinces, who comes to New York, and makes a rustle there. “Is this a knife? Here is the knife.” — such a remark can easily be imagined by Vladimir Epifantsev, whose hero also teaches the life of the inhabitants of the metropolis.

As project director Yevgeny Korchagin said, the reference ended at the idea stage: no one was going to dress Epifantsev in a hat, boots and a cowboy jacket (although it would have looked epic). Besides, Dundee is from Australia, and Mikhalych — from Siberia. But in spirit, these two tough men are definitely close!

Only Epifantsev!

The role of Mikhalych was written specifically for Vladimir Epifantsev. In the first drafts of the script, the main character was not exactly the same: the authors designated him as a village relative, but the character had to acquire certain character traits depending on which actor would play the role. According to director Yevgeny Korchagin, various options arose at the discussion stage, but as soon as the authors nominated Epifantsev, further discussions were pointless.

The creators of the series realized that it was Vladimir — perfect Mikhalych. The actor himself, while reading the script, was delighted with the character and immediately agreed to the role. And so the same simply Mikhalych appeared — a harsh Siberian big man who puts the capital on his ears.

Siberia in Belarus

According to the plot, the main character comes to Moscow from the Siberian village of Sharapovo, where life is quiet and measured: fishing in the river, gatherings around the fire. However, the team did not go to real Siberia for location shooting, so the expedition went to Belarus. It was in the neighboring country, the distance to which from Moscow is four times closer than to the Siberian villages, and they filmed the peace and quiet of the Russian village. In addition, it was in Belarus that the creators of the series found a very textured nature that ideally conveys the power of the Russian land.

family history

“Just Mikhalych” — this is the story of the relationship of one family, in which everything begins to boil after the arrival of a distant and not very expected relative. Mikhalych, in fact, serves as a catalyst for the changes that occur in the lives of the main characters. Relationship conflicts and family history — these are topics that have long been of concern to director Yevgeny Korchagin. In the short film “Felix and His Love”, the author explored how feelings change over time, “Comeback” narrated how a family reacts to successes that come through difficult compromises, and there’s no need to talk about “Family War”: there was several powerful conflicts at different age levels at once.

In each of his works, Korchagin tries to answer fundamental questions, and often comes to the conclusion that the problems that arise in modern families are drawn from the past: when talking and learning about each other’s feelings was not very accepted. And if this is not done, then it can lead to a variety of consequences. Therefore, it is better, of course, to start communicating and hearing each other a little earlier than an uncle from Siberia will come to you with gooseberry jam and forest habits.