The HIV Problem in Dramedy Format: “Call DiCaprio!” goes on television

On Monday, April 6, the TNT channel starts showing the eight-episode drama “Call DiCaprio!” Director Zhora Kryzhovnikova. Kryzhovnikov worked on the script of the tape together with other authors - Peter Vnukov, Alexei Karaulov, Evgenia Khripkova and Vladislav Amangeldyeva. Ksenia Sereda, known for the Dolda and Acid projects, acted as the operator of the mini-series.

“Call DiCaprio!” was shown on the PREMIER service in the fall of 2018. Then the release caused a great resonance. One of the reasons for the hype around the series turned out to be bold, experimental solutions that were not typical for classic domestic television projects.

But another, no less important reason for the increased attention to the release was the theme of the spread of HIV and the lives of infected people. This problem rarely comes to the attention of the domestic creators of film and television production, despite frightening statistics: in Russia, about a million people have HIV.

• © kino-teatr.ru

The topic of human immunodeficiency virus was raised in the film by Sergei Potemkin, “City without the Sun” with Sergei Bezrukov in the title role. The creators of this project leave no chance for an infected hero: here, HIV is an evil rock that will sooner or later kill a patient. A slightly more positive attitude towards the problem can be seen in Vasily Sigarev's painting “To Live”, published in 2011.

In 2018, the comedy interactive project “Everything is complicated” was released by directors Natalya Pokrovskaya and Anton Utkin. The main role in it was played by Irina Starshenbaum. The HIV-infected heroine Starshenbaum is trying to build her life, and the audience is solving the constant problem of choice with her.

In the center of the plot “Call DiCaprio!” - the life of the brothers Egor and Leo performed by Alexander Petrov and Andrei Burkovsky, respectively. Egor is a famous actor, star of the popular series. He is not used to thinking about anyone and lives as he pleases: he loses money, drinks, violates traffic rules, gets involved in conflicts, disrupts shootings and constantly changes partners.

Leo is the exact opposite of brother. He is also an artist, but his career does not work out. The hero of Burkovsky leads an unpopular broadcast on the Ant-TV channel, in which he teaches viewers to craft useful things. To feed a pregnant wife and two daughters, Leo takes on various side jobs, but they do not bring significant income. In addition, the hero is often deceived by employers, with which he himself, due to his character, can not do anything.

The life of the brothers changes when Yegor gets a positive HIV test. Hero Petrova understands that he managed to infect many people. But instead of warning the victims and taking up treatment, he begins to drink even more and sabotage the shoot. Then the TV people decide to get rid of the character of Yegor and introduce a new hero to the series, which Leo should play. Leo's life begins to improve.

• © kinopoisk.ru

“Call DiCaprio!” an important educational function is inherent: the series shows well the perception of HIV in society. Often, the environment of HIV-infected people knows almost nothing about the disease and believes stupid stereotypes. For this reason, the attitude towards the sick person changes, which is also demonstrated in the series: so Leo's wife performed by Yulia Alexandrova, having learned about the diagnosis of the main character, rushes to wash all surfaces and destroy things that he could touch in a panic. In addition, colleagues on the site turn away from Yegor.

The self-destruction of a hero who finds himself in a difficult situation is shown in an interesting and very tragic way.

“The very beginning seemed so interesting - with this HIV, with a strange feeling, when the successful character of Alexander Petrov at the same time seemed unhappy, all this success gives him nothing. He is so anxious, borderline ... I was very interested in this, ”the director of RT said.

The topic of relations between the brothers, which was reflected in the plot, deserves special attention (among other things, many critics saw in the history of Yegor and Leo direct references to the biblical story about Cain and Abel). The further development of events adds particular tragedy - the circumstances are such that the more successful one brother, the worse the other.

All this leads to negative consequences for everyone: to the final self-destruction of the hero Petrov and terrifying changes in the character of Burkovsky’s character. If initially the latter appeared before the viewer as an indecisive henpecked, then by the end he becomes a completely different person - more self-confident, but at the same time spoiled with fame, which gives new opportunities and leads to new vices.

• © kino-teatr.ru

Released a year and a half ago, the series received a high critical rating and gained many fans. The audience drew attention to the strong dramatic component of the project, mentioned that they empathize with all the heroes, and noted a strong acting.

“More than a week has passed since I watched the series for a day. It’s still hard for me to write a review. In the head, chaos is from a heap of thoughts, and in the soul is a sucking, heavy emptiness ... The series is a tragicomedy, and in the first episodes it is just a dumb comedy with absurd or tragicomic humor. But then the heroes are revealed, the story twists, and from about the middle you watch the series, covering your face with your hands, sobbing, extremely empathizing with the heroes. It’s a pity for everyone and it’s not a pity at the same time, ”one of the users of Kinopoisk said in her review.

“#CallDiCaprio - this is a very strong series. An unusual combination of fear, pain, despair and struggle with oneself. Sasha Petrov is not just an actor. He is a genius. To assume so different roles, and each is not just played, but experienced by him. Best, ”emphasized on Twitter.

Often, viewers, like critics, searched the series for common with biblical subjects and drew parallels with a variety of literary works. So one viewer compared “Call DiCaprio!” with Dostoevsky’s novels.

Like it or not, TNT has recently been filming the best series with us. And personally for me this one surpassed the rest, although he expected less. This is a social drama, and a comedy, and modern Dostoevsky ... Kryzhovnikov not only did not disappoint, but outdid himself. #CallDicaprioic.twitter.com/9eRm6Sviyb

Someone compared the series with Darren Aronofsky’s tape “Requiem for a Dream”: “Call DiCaprio” - Russian “Requiem for a Dream”, only at minimal rates and not about drug addiction! A very heavy film, however, watched all the series in one gulp! A series that makes you think and does not let go after watching! I advise everyone! ”

There are those for whom the Kryzhovnikov project did not particularly impress. “For me, the plot was faded, not particularly memorable. The series was watched in parts, the first four episodes in December, the rest in April. I thought for a long time whether it was worth continuing to browse at all, ”one of the reviewers commented.

Some were even more categorical.

looked # calling dicaprio and it would be better if I didn’t. from a series of films that must be watched by something else. it is not clear why Petrov is praised, for he is the same as always and everywhere. But Burkovsky played very well # Danilaigerman Vanlaf. but here it is unpleasant to horror

Someone was outraged by the illogical behavior of the characters.

“It was physically and emotionally painful to watch how the heroes commit the most stupid and absurd actions over and over again. If there were one or two of such characters in the series, whose actions would be embarrassing, that would be normal, BUT when 98% of the main and secondary characters lower their lives into the toilet and also spit on other people's lives - well, this is the land " - says one of the reviews.

However, even in negative reviews, there are often compliments to actors.

# Brief Overview # Call Dicaprio is about how to listen to a good melody played by poorly tuned instruments, and even the musician deliberately fakes it, passing it off as his copyright chip. Petrov once again in his role, although I must admit to acting out perfectly. 3/10 pic.twitter.com/vBlpHpxrUd

“All of the above points prevented you from enjoying the acting game, which, by the way, is simply excellent. Petrov + Hlynina. It is just something. They attract attention and make you empathize with your heroes. This couple is just perfect! ” - says in one of the audience reviews on "Search".

Also, the author of the review noted the game of Julia Alexandrova.

“Here the character spelled out with the mind looks very appropriate, and the heroine’s pain is absolutely clear and close. It is clear why she is so, and what the author wants to tell us through her. Objectively a very complex role. It was played beautifully! ” - concluded the viewer.