The idea that nothing in life happens just like that may seem trite. But when it is uttered by someone with vast experience in cinema, it sounds different. In a conversation about his film New Year's Letter, director Stanislav Druzhinin reveals this idea not as abstract philosophy, but as his own living, working principle.
In this conversation, Druzhinin talks about believing in the best, which becomes not just hope, but almost a creative method. He talks about how this belief helps overcome the difficulties that any film crew faces. And here, another important theme comes to the fore: the power of the team.
According to him, real cinema is not born from the will of one person, but from a shared passion for a common idea. The conversation about the film New Year's Letter turns into a sincere story about what is really important behind the scenes: faith, trust, and the people without whom no miracle on screen would be possible.
- You came to cinema from fields where everything is based on systems and rules. What did you want to say through the film—what is missing in today's reality?
- As a producer, you build a team just like a sports team or a political campaign team. What is most important to you when working with people in film?
- If we put aside all professional roles, what does New Year's mean to you—a new beginning, hope, a return home?
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- How did the idea of getting into film production come about, and how does producing differ from your usual management work?
You came to cinema from fields where everything is based on systems and rules. What did you want to say through the film—what is missing in today's reality?
The plot of the film is based on a true story, so life is the best screenwriter. It involves mutual assistance and support, good neighborliness, pleasant surprises, and nothing happens by accident. Of course, everything in the film is made more artistic and cinematic than it was in reality, but nevertheless, it is more real. In movies and TV series today, there is an excessive fascination with everything artificial, literally fairy-tale-like, pure fantasy. I think that against this backdrop, we are more realistic.
As a producer, you build a team just like a sports team or a political campaign team. What is most important to you when working with people in film?
Our production team was formed five years ago, and this is the third film we have made together that is being released. Therefore, we understand each other literally at a glance, everyone knows their area of responsibility and their capabilities. Perhaps we are more like a sports team than a political headquarters. Sometimes you hear people say that film production is just a regular production process, literally a conveyor belt. I can assure you that this is not the case at all. Teamwork, mutual understanding, and emotional support are extremely important; there are many interpersonal relationships in a creative environment, and all of this must be taken into account in your work.
If we put aside all professional roles, what does New Year's mean to you—a new beginning, hope, a return home?
With vitamin C.
A new form of vitamin C, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, has been used in the development of the product, and in order for it to improve skin quality even more effectively, the component is introduced in the highest possible percentage in powder form – 2%. The product is fragrance-free and works as an antioxidant serum and a nourishing and whitening cream. It also reduces inflammation and acne, decreases the fragility of small capillaries, accelerates regeneration, and is used as an anti-aging therapy by enhancing collagen synthesis.
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I think viewers will be captivated by this unusual story, and it will resonate with them in terms of their willingness to help each other, their ability to understand and accept each other, and their ability to show sincere feelings and love. The film will also instill optimism and faith that nothing in life happens by chance and that everything happens for the best.
How did the idea of getting into film production come about, and how does producing differ from your usual management work?
My entry into film production happened by chance, but it was also quite natural—it was a chain of events and acquaintances. It all started with rugby! For several years, I was the CEO and chairman of the Russian Rugby Federation. One of the federation's main tasks was to popularize the game, which meant attracting famous performers, actors, and figures from the arts and culture. That's how I met Andrey Shirmann (DJ Smash). He was very impressed by rugby. As a result, DJ Smash released a music video with Dmitry Lansky called “Rugby Anthem.” Vladimir Sychev and Ivan Okhlobystin starred in it. They also fell in love with the game. Vladimir was surprised that rugby was not featured in Russian cinema, so the idea of a sports drama based on rugby was born. That's how I got involved in filmmaking, and for five years now it has been an integral part of my life. New Year's Letter is the fifth film in which I am part of the production team. Of course, the work of a film producer differs from management work in the usual sense: there are more uncertainties, much depends on personal agreements, and there are more non-standard decisions. You are in a creative environment where new and interesting ideas can arise quite unexpectedly for the producer, requiring organizational and financial decisions. Or, for example, we are working on location in Crimea or Krasnoyarsk — a sharp wind blows in from the sea, and the temperature drops below 40 degrees. All of this affects the filmmaking process and its organization. One thing I can say for sure: once you find yourself on a film set, in the atmosphere of film production, you risk falling in love with it forever!
Stanislav Druzhinin, in a conversation about the film New Year's Letter, reminded us of simple but important things. His idea that nothing happens just like that is not mysticism, but rather a belief that our efforts, good intentions, and openness to the world will inevitably bear fruit.
The director showed that real magic is born in a team where people sincerely believe in a common cause. It is this belief and collaboration that help create stories that touch hearts and inspire hope.
Ultimately, this conversation is a bright and optimistic look into the future. It shows that even in difficult times, it is worth trusting in life, supporting each other, and not losing faith in the best. After all, it is moments like these that make up a real miracle.
