Vysotsky. Thank You for Being Alive (Russian: Высоцкий. Спасибо, что живой) is a 2011Russian drama film about Vladimir Vysotsky based on a screenplay by his son Nikita and directed by Pyotr Buslov. The primary actor, who played the role of Vysotsky, went uncredited and remained unknown to public. Later, it was revealed that CGI and heavy makeup disguised Sergey Bezrukov. The film premiered on December 1, 2011.
Plot summary
Film is based on a true story about a Vysotsky concert tour to Uzbekistan and subsequent clinical death in 1979.[1]
Cast
Sergey Bezrukov as Vladimir Vysotsky (uncredited), also appearing as Yura, colleague of Vysotsky.
Alla Pokrovskaya as Nina Maksimovna, mother of Vladimir Vysotsky
Sergey Shakurov as Semyon Vladimirovich, father of Vladimir Vysotsky
Production
A copy of famous Vysotsky automobile Mercedes-Benz W116 in Moscow cinema theater (original car was sold after his death)
The actor who played Vysotsky spent 4 – 6 hours every day for make-up and about 1 - 1.5 hours to undo the make-up. In some sets Vysotsky was "reconstructed" for the film with the use of CGI.
In spring 2012 Sergey Bezrukov admitted in a TV talk show that he in fact was the actor who played the role of Vladimir Vysotsky.[3] Also, for the extended TV version released in January 2013, Bezrukov was credited for the role of Vysotsky.
Reception
The film received mixed reviews,[4] with many criticizing the decision to have the actor portraying Vysotsky to wear a mask.[5][6] Also Vysotsky's last wife Marina Vlady has commented negatively on the film, saying that the film is "An insult to Vysotsky, his art, his memory and our life together".[7]
