Young people have not lost interest in serious drama - R. Yankovsky

July 14, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Young people have not lost interest in serious drama. This opinion was expressed today by People's Artist of Belarus and the USSR Rostislav Yankovsky at the "Star Hour" - a traditional festival press conference with celebrities, BELTA correspondent reports. "I specifically paid attention to the audience. Young people attend the theater. And they go to see serious drama," Rostislav Yankovsky noted. As an example, he cited "The Strawberry Place" by I. Bergman from the repertoire of the National Academic Drama Theater named after M. Gorky, where he serves. "This is a story about a soulless, fallen old man who lived a life without purpose and only realized this fact at the end. It is a very difficult play, but many young people come to see it," the artist stated, adding that even now, in the heat, the theater hall is full. Rostislav Yankovsky also expressed his opinion on the question of what attracts the viewer to the theater in the first place - the actor or the director. In his deep conviction, it is the Actor or Actress. "It is their performance that is of paramount importance. The role of the director, on whom much also depends, is still secondary. It is the actor who attracts the audience; they go to the theater to see the performance of their favorite artist. At least, that's how it was before and how it has remained in our theater," the artist said, noting that currently in Russia there is a trend to go to see "fashionable" directors. Along with this, Rostislav Yankovsky noted the significance of the director's role: "In any case, I treat this work with great respect, because the actor and the director are very different professions. It is very difficult to find a good director because he must grow, go through a period of creative turmoil, realize himself, and mature. This is a very complex process." Rostislav Ivanovich Yankovsky is a prominent figure in Belarusian theater and cinema, People's Artist of Belarus and the USSR, holder of the Order and Medal of Francysk Skaryna, the "For Spiritual Revival" prize, and other prestigious awards, Honorary Citizen of the Hero City of Minsk, and an academician of the International Theatre Academy. He has played over 160 leading roles in classical, contemporary, and foreign repertoire. Throughout his creative career, he has created a number of memorable characters. Fans of theatrical art have no need to be introduced to this brilliant artist. Filmgoers know him well from his roles in the films "Two Comrades Served" (Vasilchikov), "I, Francysk Skaryna" (Ivan Skaryna), "Ruins Shoot..." (partisan detachment commander), "The Star Boy" (Constellation Owner), "The State Counsellor" (Khrapov), "In June '41" (Vojcech Belsky), and others. -0-