MOSCOW, March 22, Anna Nekhaeva. In the musical autobiographical performance «How I Came to Consciousness» Dina Korzun speaks frankly about herself, shares her thoughts about the world, relationships, creativity. In an interview, the actress spoke about moving to Russia from the UK, working with Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy, proposals from Hollywood directors and a new project. 
— When did you return to Russia and what was the reason?
I have always wanted to leave the UK. When the choice arose in 2018, Louis suggested Switzerland, since he is a citizen of this country. We spent three years there. If it weren’t for covid, we would have lived like this — I had plans to stage a production in Lausanne.
But in the spring of 2021, at the family council, we decided to move to Russia, because there was less pressure and better respect for human rights during the pandemic.
In Moscow, we celebrated my birthday with friends and by the summer we already understood that our children would go to a Russian school. Not English.
We've been doing the show for a whole year. We perfected the text, assembled the team. I helped the children learn — Russian is not their native language, there were many difficulties. I tried to be at home every evening, doing homework together — so I went through the program of grades 5, 6, 7.
— Did you notice any difference in Russia?
— The world was open, global, I was constantly coming and going. By work (in the Podari Zhizn foundation. — Ed.), and I have a family in Moscow: mother, son.
Russia has always been my home, I have no other passport and citizenship than Russian. What was the problem for my husband: I had to constantly collect documents for visas, permits to stay in the country.
Although Louis and I have been together for more than 20 years, and I had the opportunity to get an English or Swiss passport for a long time. It's just that there has never been such a goal.
— What surprised you the most in Moscow?
— We often flew in the summer, on vacation, to my grandmother. Noticed that Moscow has become cleaner, better, more beautiful. A huge number of cafes, restaurants: there is no such variety and quality in the West. Everything is done with such love!
Yes, and in the regions — we went to a village in Bashkiria, to the Urals — it is noticeable how the authorities care. Ice towns in winter, repair of ponds, beautification of embankments. But this is certainly not the case everywhere.
— How did the idea of the play “How I Came to Consciousness” come about?
— It happened in the spring of 2020, when the whole world was under “house arrest”. Many did live broadcasts, trying to reach each other, because life seemed to have stopped, there was a lot of anxiety. People wondered what was happening, why.
I, like many others, was worried about the future. But it was especially exciting that people were afraid of what was happening. And my experience has shown that if something serious happens, it will inevitably have to go through. And only then you can understand why it was necessary. 
That was it the grain of the idea of the performance: how, going through difficult turns of fate, accepting challenges, remain human, see the positive, how to be grateful for everything.
— What is the most personal moment for you in this autobiographical tragicomedy?< /strong>
— When my friend and I started slandering stories on the recorder, we got 7.5 hours of audio text. From this, personal situations were then added up for 2.5 hours, then reduced to one and a half. They are all touching, intimate, emphasizing the gratitude of life, God, and those around them. ratio=»0.665367121507472″ data-crop-width=»600″ data-crop-height=»399″ data-source-sid=»not_rian_photo» class=»lazyload» width=»1920″ height=»1278″ decoding=» async» />
— What was the hardest thing to talk about on stage?
— I hope I can inspire you to live on, not to give up and not despair, even if it's hard now. I invite you to watch the production of those who are not easy, who are confused, do not see the future, do not understand what is happening in this world.
Tickets for the March and April screenings of «How I Came to Consciousness» were sold out in the first hours, and on May 10, 11 and 12 you can still buy them — they just went on sale.
I confess, I did not want to talk about my childhood, the dramatic experience of first love. All this, perhaps, should not be on stage, but there was no other way I could thank for the difficulties, for the chance to become more humane, easier, to continue on my way forward. I hope this will be useful to someone.
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Do you believe in the healing power of theater?
— He has such an opportunity. I myself experienced a deep catharsis several times at the performances. She could re-evaluate life and take a fresh look at things.
One of these performances is Sailor's Silence. In the 1990s, I was a student at the Moscow Art Theater School, we went to the Tabakerka, and it was a powerful theatrical shock. Sincere dialogue from heart to heart. All the viewers sobbed.
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— Do you miss Europe?
— No, absolutely. I have friends in Moscow, work. As in London and Switzerland. I am such a person. The secret is that I make friends not expecting something from myself, but giving — time, a smile, sincerity. I love inviting guests to my house. Therefore, many interesting, congenial people gather around me.
— One of your well-known projects is Peaky Blinders. What do you remember most about filming?
— I got into the series by accident, I didn’t read the whole script — they just don’t show it, they protect the plot from the public as much as possible, hide the plot, stir up interest.
Everything went smoothly, professionally, and organized. The shooting was in Manchester, I lived in London, went there, as if on a business trip, by train. » data-crop-ratio=»0.5625″ data-crop-width=»600″ data-crop-height=»338″ data-source-sid=»» class=»» />
— What was it like working with Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy?
“They are great partners. I didn’t know about them then, because I don’t like and don’t watch TV shows. Both are very easy to communicate, open, without vanity, hypocrisy. I felt sincerity, and besides, they are both real gentlemen in everyday life. ratio=»0.566511627906977″ data-crop-width=»600″ data-crop-height=»340″ data-source-sid=»not_rian_photo» class=»lazyload» width=»1920″ height=»1088″ decoding=» async» />
My friends, Killian fans, came to the site and asked me to meet him. I knocked on his trailer, he invited us, and we talked for a few minutes.
Killian always dined with everyone, he didn't hide in the VIP trailer. For me, this is an indicator of professionalism and respect for people. He is also the producer of the project, so he took care of us, it was clear that he cared. It's always nice.
I was once in heavy historical costume, we all stood waiting for the lights to be set for shooting. He asked if it was cold, suggested that I sit down and bring a chair — that's how he treated everyone.
— Are you now considering proposals from Western, American colleagues?
—Recently, the director with whom I starred wrote to me. His friend from New York wanted to show me the script. We got on the phone, he told about the role: the Russian wife of an oligarch, who flies to New York and is angry with her son, who married a black woman.
I listened to him and realized that this was not very interesting for me, I would not participate. Politely declined.
— Are you planning new projects in Russia? In theater or cinema?
—Yes, of course. I have two great theater ideas. If a movie is born from them, that's good too.
«Grandma and Bentley» is a bridge of history, about a country that was destroyed and robbed, and its «fragments». The older generation, grandmothers beg for alms or come by train to work on the streets to pay for communal services. And young people drive Bentleys. These are my real observations — I always talk to people on the streets, it will be such a monologue. Maybe a performance.
The next productions of the play «How I Came to Consciousness» at the Praktika Theater are scheduled for April 5, 6, 7.