The comedy series “Sasha and Peter” will be released in the Premier online cinema on February 14. This is the debut directorial project of actress Valeria Shkirando, known for her roles in the TV series “Molodezhka”, “Father’s Shore” and “Grand”. The producers of the film included Sarik and Ghevond Andreasyan.
At the center of the story is an ambitious and fairly successful girl, Sasha, living in Moscow. She was in a relationship with Ivan for ten years, but never received a marriage proposal from him, and the couple broke up. Now, from social networks, the heroine finds out that he is engaged to a new girl, whom he has been dating for only six months. Plus, they are planning to have a wedding in St. Petersburg, and this was exactly Sasha’s dream. The girl is hurt and hurt. She decides to take revenge on her once lover.
Without thinking twice, Sasha packs her things and goes to the northern capital, where she gets a job in the registry office. True, instead of a marriage registrar, she gets the position of a divorce registrar. At her new job, the heroine will face difficulties, find herself in various absurd situations and try to start living again.
The roles in the series were performed by Aglaya Tarasova (“Unprincipled,” “End of the World”), Ivan Mulin (“Molodezhka,” “Black Spring”), Anton Filipenko (“Project “Anna Nikolaevna”), Polina Filonenko (“Everyone will die, but I I’ll stay”), Aram Vardevanyan (“Food Block”), Gleb Bochkov (“Podolsk Cadets”) and many others.
The content of the project “Sasha and Peter” is quite simple and predictable: there is an unhappy heroine suffering from the betrayal of her ex, who, as if to spite her, “steals” her dreams and fulfills them in front of Sasha along with a new girl: this is both a wedding in St. Petersburg and buying a puppy. Anger and despair become motivators for the character: she moves to the city of her dreams and, thanks to her significant track record, very quickly gets a job. From the very beginning, it becomes clear that Sasha’s life will change dramatically, filled with new people and, maybe even, a new lover. In the finale, most likely, the viewer will see a happy Sasha, who has forgotten about Ivan.
Despite the transparency of the plot, the story attracts attention with light humor and recognizable events, including a difficult breakup and impulsive decisions. The living conditions in which the characters find themselves are also close to real life: Sasha moves not to Paris or London, but to St. Petersburg. It is easy for the viewer to imagine himself in the place of the main character and believe that this is possible.
The series would not have been so convincing without the talented performance of Aglaya Tarasova. She completely got used to the role of Sasha, showed different facets of her character - determination and the ability to take risks, self-confidence and at the same time vulnerability due to failed relationships, kindness and following her principles. The scenes in which the heroine sobs bitterly are very impressive - Tarasova conveyed all the pain and at the same time managed to perform these episodes with the right amount of comedy.
© Still from the filming of the series “Sasha and Peter”
The work of the artists and cameraman is of great importance in the film. The series takes place in the summer, and warmth emanates from the screen. The authors of the series managed to romanticize St. Petersburg, already beloved by many. The city in the project looks very atmospheric and cozy: spectacular architecture, narrow streets, green parks, bridges and embankment. However, it was not without some stereotypes. For example, when a neighbor corrects Sasha and says that this is not an entrance, but a front door, or when a new acquaintance invites her to a “St. Petersburg dinner,” that is, to have a snack of “shawarma.”
The apartment where Sasha stays belongs to her friend Lera (Polina Filonenko), and this is, perhaps, the dream home of every girl who loves the Provence style. This is a large space, made in light and warm colors, with simple but stylish furniture, blankets on the sofa and armchairs, pillows, candles, and a small cozy balcony.
Color solutions are also important - everything in the series, from the main character’s outfits to the color of the coffee cup, for example, is made in pastel shades. An attentive viewer will notice a lot of details (even Sasha’s ballpoint pen) of turquoise color. The palette is also dominated by pink, beige, white and mint. All these shades make the picture extremely pleasing to the eye, cozy, and cause joy and inspiration.
By the way, Sasha’s images also deserve praise from the artist Zhanna Serdyuk. The main character appears in very stylish outfits: summer dresses, classic suits, skirts that emphasize her figure. In addition, since the girl works in the registry office, spectators will admire a variety of wedding dresses.
Judging by the plot and visual solutions, the project is more intended for a female audience who will appreciate the story of love and betrayal, atmosphere and humor. There is nothing fundamentally new in the series, it is simple and understandable, but this does not make it bad. On the contrary, this is the picture that you want to see for inspiration, good mood and warmth, which is missing in winter.