On May 15, a new comedy series will hit the TV screens “Star Court”. The plot revolves around popular actor Dmitry Petrovsky (Maxim Lagaškin) and his wife, actress Marina Khrumkina (Maria Gorban), with whom they are going through a scandalous divorce. The story is inspired by one of the most iconic celebrity lawsuits of recent times between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. It ended on June 1, 2022, when the jury ruled in favor of the actor. Maria Gorban, the lead actress in the series, spoke in an exclusive interview with VOICE about how she fell in love with her character and the unusual difficulties she faced during filming.
– Maria, when you were offered the role of actress Marina Khrumkina, who decided to divorce, did you hesitate for a long time to agree to participate in this project?
“I had absolutely no doubts. First of all, it’s a comedy and I’m madly in love with comedies. There are so many gray and sad things in our life that comedy, it seems to me, will save our world. In general, it’s wonderful when people laugh and cry just from happiness. That’s why I do comedy. I also adore negative heroines and Marina Khrumkina is different. When I read the script, I believed in this character and I really liked her. That’s why I agreed. I like to play smart, charismatic, interesting, complex.
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When and where was the shooting?
– It was some very interesting building that was converted for the court: either an institute or a factory. We stood at the entrance for a long time, the guards made serious faces, although everyone knew and recognized us very well – we used to go there for a month to shoot. But we were still asked for documents, a queue was formed, which caused a delay in the filming process. In general, they let us in as if we were filming in the Kremlin (Laughter). Filming took place at the end of January – beginning of February, and because of this project I changed my plans – I flew out from vacation earlier. Because I really liked the project.
– Your heroine accused her husband of violence, but he claims that these are the inventions of an offended woman… Marina Khrumkina – a bastard? How close is she to you?
Yes, he’s trash, just like the other characters I play. You say it’s a stamp and I’m a hostage to one role? No, all my heroines are very different, and the best part is that Marina Khrumkina loves her and hates her and generally has different feelings for her, and that’s great. Therefore, I want you to quickly watch this series and also experience feelings of love, hate or indifference to Marina Khrumkina. Any manifestation of any feelings is wonderful! It means you are a living person.
— How was your cooperation with Maxim Lagaškin?
– We already knew Max and I worked perfectly with him. I think we are the perfect movie couple. They talked about breaks. We both have a great sense of humor which is great. It was easy on set, it was fun, we supported each other – there were tough shifts. Max is awesome! I look forward to further cooperation with him. One can only dream of such a partner.
What problems did you face during filming?
– Very good question! I really got into trouble. For the first time in my life, I sat with two words, with two notes, when my partners – Igor Vernik, Max Lagaškin, Ira Temicheva – were holding two volumes of Dostoyevsky in their hands (smiles)And they all said it, said it, said it! And the hardest part was inserting your note between their phrases. It turns out that you need to know all their phrases and understand at what point you need to say a word or two of your own. It’s one thing – you speak, part of the process, and another thing – you sit, watch the scene, something happens, and you can’t look at it with enthusiasm, you have to watch carefully and wait until you say your instruction. It’s crazy hard! But it’s a great experience for me. It was fun and interesting.
– And there were funny moments on the set Star Court?
– Since my partners had a lot of text, and there was a lot of filming in the courtroom, all my huge conversational texts were moved to the conference room, where there is usually some discussion and eating during the break. And they gave me one day to do it all. Every scene I have is just huge monologues (Laughter). And I also have makeup, changing clothes in every scene. And you have no idea how hard it is. You look, everything seems beautiful, cool. Here, one day it’s like this, the next day it’s different. But in reality, all the different days are filmed on the same day. And all the costumes, hairstyles – you have to do it very quickly. Therefore, we can say that it is both curious and serious.
– In Sri Lanka, you show a figure in a swimsuit in the videos that you or your husband Kirill Zotkin shoot. Tell us how you managed to get back in shape after two children.
“I was never able to get back into shape. I like to eat. I just lead an active lifestyle and was lucky with my genetics. I don’t have any special diets and I’m not a sports fan. A little of everything, everything in moderation, for joy. I love swimming, surfing, traveling. I recently climbed a mountain in Sri Lanka called Sigiriya – there used to be a city. It is very difficult to climb there, I even felt sick, the pressure dropped. But I did it. I’m just a very mobile person. I love to dance, I love to work – as well as relax. And above all, I do everything with joy.
You can watch the first episode of the 8-part movie “Star Court” on TNT on May 15 at 9:00 p.m.