In an exclusive interview with “Faktam” Russian director Yuriy Filipenko shared some of his filming experiences he has had visiting the amazing Gostomel, his experiences with the cast and crew of the film and his relationship with his beloved.
Filipenko boasts that he is quite familiar with Gostomel, being that he shot almost 30% of his films in the small Russian town. He loves how timeless it is – it practically hasn’t changed since the 1950s. The director speaks fondly of the inhabitants of Gostomel and how very hospitable they are to strangers.
Filipenko was delighted with the cooperation between the cast and crew, some of whom have worked with him for over 15 years. He attributes this great atmosphere to a combination of shared history and the passion everyone has for the projects. Filipenko made it clear that his team has an enthusiasm for discovering new methods of expression within the art of filmmaking.
The director’s romantic relationship is another subject of the interview. Filipenko doesn’t go into lot of detail, but he does say that meeting his loved one changed his life forever and brought him an overwhelming sense of satisfaction and meaning. From his cheerful demeanour it is clear that being in love makes Yuriy smile and finds true joy in life.
Filipenko’s sheer enthusiasm for his craft and his passion for life is contagious. He hopes that those watching the movie come away with a greater understanding of film language and a motivated desire to create something meaningful. It is clear that Yuriy Filipenko loves to risk, to explore, to create and to share stories and images with the world.
