LYUDMILA PEREGUDOVA
…April is a long-standing domestic tradition – a month of humor, practical jokes and surprises. However, the invitation to the premiere of the comedy film “Gas Station No. 1”, filmed on the ONT channel, was not a prank, but a real surprise. Or rather, at the pre-premiere – in the capital’s Falcon Club Cinema Boutique.
The place is not only pathetic, but also iconic, “watched”: at one time, film programs of the Minsk IFF “Listapad” were shown on this site. With good reason, we can assume that the Falcon Club screen is an excellent launching pad for any film. Moreover, for comedy, a genre, as we know, is perhaps the most difficult for the creators of “the most important of the arts,” and the most beloved and always long-awaited for the audience.
“Let’s refuel with positivity together!” – suggested the receiving party. And in this nice slogan, I personally heard not just a call, but also a promise. And my colleagues from television did not disappoint my expectations: the new comedy filmed on ONT is not only the promised positive. This is, if you like, “high-octane” humor!
“Gas Station No. 1”: LET’S FUEL UP WITH POSITIVITY!
The ONT TV channel has long and confidently held the “palm” in the production of documentaries and investigative films. ONT is, first of all, a professional and high-quality presentation of news; it is a corporate style in the creation of entertainment projects and creative social videos. As for ratings, ONT is ready to compete with Russian TV channels. But television and film exhibitions are forced to be purchased abroad, primarily in Russia. That is, the need to increase national content is already ripe. Moreover, the Head of State has repeatedly turned to producing TV channels with a proposal to film their own, Belarusian ones.
By definition, a national television channel could not stand aside: films and series for Belarusians and with Belarusians in leading roles – this idea became a priority in the long term for the formation of the program program.
Here is a quote from the press release of the premiere film: “A social space arises around a good series and cinema, an occasion for informal communication. We live together with our favorite TV series every evening and really want to convey our cultural genetic code through our own Belarusian stories.” I support every word!
We should not forget that producing “our own” films for television channels is not only reaching a new creative level, but also expanding opportunities for the realization of a huge number of representatives of creative professions.
“Gas Station No. 1” is a clear (literally!) example that everything will work out if you have good specialists, creative potential and, most importantly, motivation and the desire to move forward. Real enthusiasts worked on the film: cameramen, artists, screenwriter, director – all of them!
“We believe that our first film will make you smile, relax and forget a little about everyday worries! A pleasant evening awaits you in the company of Belarusian actors and funny plot twists. Let’s refuel with positivity together!” – this is also an excerpt from the press release.
And now in first person. ONT once again confirmed its high status and solid creative reputation: they promised and delivered. The film provides a good mood in literally every episode. Successful jokes, reprisal dialogues, universal comic situations, accessible to almost any perception – and who among us has not been to a gas station? There are plenty of reasons for humor, irony, smiles, and sometimes even homeric laughter! And the filmmakers did not fail to take advantage of them.
And here’s what’s remarkable: for people who have seen it, there is also a “second layer” of humor. After all, the young hero, charming in his absurdity (the debut of BGAI student Nazar Tamansky) is simply a living reference to the legendary comedian of the era of the Great Mute Harold Lloyd. And it’s probably no coincidence that Charlie Chaplin, funny and kind – eternal, will flash on the screen. For which special thanks to the creators of the film from true film buffs…
Starring Maxim Sokol (who is also the author of the script), Sergei Novitsky, InnaSavenkova, Yuri Zinchenko and the already named Nazar Tamansky. In total, more than 30 professional Belarusian actors are involved in the film, including People’s Artist of Belarus Tamara Mironova, Honored Artists of the Republic of Belarus Olga Nefedova, Alexander Kashperov and Vladimir Mishchanchuk.
Popular Russian actor Marat Basharov played a small role in the episode. The film featured famous KVN players from the popular major league team “Wrestlers – Northern Landing” Rukhin Magerramov and Yusif Yusifov, as well as finalists of the “Miss Belarus” competition.
And here is the synopsis of the film prepared by the authors. I boldly quote it in full, because, in my opinion, there can be no spoiler for a comedy. The nature of the funny is so complex and multifaceted that it is practically impossible to retell. You just have to see it! So…
…The oil refinery announces a competition for the title of the best gas station. The reward for the winner is the position of deputy general director, and with it bright, that is, unlimited prospects. The head of gas station No. 1, Arkady Bronislavovich Komarovsky, enters the fight. By hook or by crook, using his team, he begins to systematically move towards his cherished goal. And it seems that victory is already at arm’s length, but…
...Suddenly a new employee appears at the gas station. Not only is the guy a pathological loser, just a walking disaster. Everything is more complicated: he also turns out to be the son of the general director. Komarovsky is faced with an impossible task: how to increase profits if, due to the fault of the newcomer, there are continuous problems and losses. The little secret life of a gas station is turned upside down…
Well, let’s see? And we will definitely see it: on television and film screens.
Happy premiere, ONT!
Director Ilya Baranov with the film’s actors.
