CREATORS ABOUT THE FILM

Gleb Panfilov, director:

About the novel: "I read the novel for the first time in 1974 when I was preparing for the production of I Wish to Speak. I was astounded when the samizdat version of the novel fell into my lap. I read it in twenty-four hours. I thought – this is what films should be about! However, back then it was impossible to speak about the novel, let alone adapt it for the screen. I carried this deep impression with me until 1996, when I got a chance to meet Aleksandr Isayevich. He'd seen all my previous work and had no objection to my idea of adapting his novel for the screen.

About the cast: I tried to consult the author as often as his schedule would allow. Before showing the working material to the producers, I saw it as my duty to show everything to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, which I did at various stages of production. When I cast all the parts, including the main ones, all of the test shots were shown to Aleksandr Isayevich and Nataliya Dmitrievna, and they gave us their firm approval.

Nataliya Solzhenitsyna, widow of the author:

We would like to thank Gleb Panfilov and his team for making this film. It is wonderful that it has evoked so much discussion. Not because it has drawn people's attention to the original novel, but because it demonstrates fascination with our history and with our present. There is nothing more alarming for an individual and for the entire country than if its citizens have lost interest and passion for a subject matter. There is nothing more frightening than indifference.

The very fact that Aleksandr Isayevich decided to collaborate with Gleb Panfilov tells us about the nature of his expectations. He highly valued the final outcome. He believed that the actors have reached great heights in their performances. Igor Kvasha in his portrayal of Stalin is the most realistic depiction of the leader in his late years. Roman Madyanov is amazing in the part of Abakumov. Sergei Karyakin is magnificent in the role of Sologdin – Solzhenitsyn even said: "This is unbelievable, not only does he look like him, but he also moves and talks just like him!". Of course, Inna Churikova is stunning! Words would be superfluous here! Yevgeny Mironov delivers a wonderful performance. His personification of Nerzhin is slightly different from the one depicted in the novel; however, his performance is utterly organic, deep and determined by inner logic. Not to mention the role of Volodin – an extremely complex character, which Dmitry Pevtzov embodies brilliantly. We are also grateful to Maxim Panfilov, the producer, for his titanic efforts, for putting together as complex a film with a great number of episodes, where all the period detail and attributes are reproduced with authenticity.

Yevgeny Mironov, actor (Gleb Nerzhin):

To be honest, I was hoping for the part that went to Dmitry Pevtzov, the part of the diplomat Volodin. However, I always happen to get the most complex ones. I needed to fully understand Nerzhin's personality, to find the right approach. I have asked Nataliya Dmitrievna to introduce me to Solzhenitsyn; I needed to find details and facts about the character's prototype. For me, the novel The First Circle is a story about strong men. About the men who shape their own souls. During our conversation, Solzhenitsyn said a phrase which utterly shocked me. "I was lucky to have been arrested!", he said. And then explained, "If this incident had never taken place, I would have never become who I am today."

Inna Churikova, actress (Nataliya Gerasimovich):

I think we have managed to create a deep, meaningful and interesting film. And in my opinion, it manages to sustain the audience's interest and concentration all the way through, despite the long and complex dialogues which are quite rare nowadays. I have an impression that when Gleb makes a film, he thinks in a very independent manner. He doesn't cater to the target audience. He trusts his viewer, and believes that one would respond to this story intuitively, in a manner similar to Panfilov's own response. This is a very universal story, it is in no way elitist. It is the story of our lives, of our people. We have all been through this. And I think Gleb is completely honest in his depiction.