On Sunday, April 21, the second round of presidential elections will take place in Ukraine. It will be attended by current President Petro Poroshenko and showman Vladimir Zelensky. It is Zelensky who is the favorite in the upcoming vote. According to the sociological group “Rating”, 73% of decided voters are going to vote for the artist. For Poroshenko - only 27%.

Zelensky lives and works in Ukraine. Among his acting works are roles in such films as “Love in the City”, “Rzhevsky against Napoleon”, “Office Romance. Nowadays". He is also one of the founders and artistic director of the Kvartal 95 studio. Vedomosti asked those who worked with him on the set for their opinion about Zelensky.

Alexander Rodnyansky, producer

Founder of the TV channel “1+1”, with which Zelensky’s studio “Kvartal 95” collaborates

Photo: Andrey Makhonin / Vedomosti

“Zelensky’s success is connected not only with the fact that he is a successful actor, showman and producer, but also with the fact that he is the most important stand-up comedian in the post-Soviet space, engaged in political satire. He did this for years together with his partners, making the most popular political shows. Their company “Kvartal 95” responded to the turbulent, constantly changing political life of Ukraine with endless reprises, jokes, skits, etc. Even many of my comrades in Russia watched their show, because it was funny, sharp and professionally made. For Ukraine, Zelensky is the same as John Stewart and Stephen Colbert in the United States. In America, few people would have any questions if famous political show hosts suddenly wanted to run for president. The audience trusts them, appreciates them, they are educated, smart, bright, cynical professionals.

So Zelensky has been a participant in the country’s political life for many years through his satirical shows. This is the first one. Secondly, as a sought-after showman, he is well acquainted with the entire political society. Ukraine is a large country, but the number of key players on the political scene is limited and the main role, of course, is played by the oligarchs.

And this is the decisive factor - regarding whose candidacy the oligarchs will agree this time, for whom the media they own will fit in. Plus the accumulated fatigue from the famous figures on the board - Timoshenko, Boyko, Gritsenko.

And the candidate “against everyone” today turns out to be under the name Zelensky.

Someone says that he is incompetent as a politician, but against the background of an ignoramus, a rural accountant, a man who has not read two books in his life - Yushchenko or a three-time convicted and twice imprisoned professor with two letters "f", as he described himself, Yanukovych Zelensky looks like just a house of soviets. He is smart, fast, cheerful, he has character, he is self-made, he built a business himself, he did not steal, he is not someone’s son, he built a company with his own brains and his friends.”

Pavel Derevyanko

Starred with Zelensky in the film “Rzhevsky against Napoleon”

Still from the film “Napoleon against Rzhevsky” Photo: “Studio Kvartal 95”

“I have the most positive impression of Vladimir Zelensky. Volodya is an absolutely charming person in every sense. Everything he touched was very well done. Zelensky is a great professional. He treated his work with great trepidation and attention. He devoted himself completely to the work he was doing. If, let’s say, I was just playing my role, then guys from the Kvartal 95 studio came to Volodya from Kiev (we were filming the film “Rzhevsky vs. Napoleon” in Crimea), and they still had to prepare the program, write, and administer. That is, he had practically no time left for sleep. I said: “Vov, do you sleep at all?” It was so cool, tireless, so charming, so professional, with such dedication! I was delighted with him in the full sense of the word.

I don’t know whether he will be a good president, he has no experience, of course, but history has seen many different examples. But the fact that he is a decent person is for sure. And he has very kind eyes. I think he was and remains a kind person. I don’t like Petro Poroshenko in any way, he is a totally greedy person. He declared himself fully, did everything he could do. Yulia Tymoshenko too. I’m really looking forward to it and really want everything to work out for Volodya. I hope that there will be an improvement in relations with Russia. At a minimum, there will be no infringement on the Russian-speaking population. In general, I wish Volodya complete victory.”

Mikhail Efremov, actor

Starred with Zelensky in the film “Rzhevsky against Napoleon”

Still from the film “Rzhevsky against Napoleon” Photo: “Studio Kvartal 95”

“Zelensky is a positive person. He makes a good impression. Whether relations with Russia will improve depends on Russia. I think he will be a good president. I like that he's an actor and I know he's a good manager."

Ksenia Sobchak, TV presenter

She starred with Zelensky in the film “Rzhevsky against Napoleon”

Still from the film “Napoleon against Rzhevsky” Photo: “Studio Kvartal 95”

“He seemed to me to be a very professional person, with a good sense of humor, he is bright and interesting. He knows how to completely immerse himself in his work.”

Marius Weisberg, director

He directed the films “Love in the City”, “Eight Best Dates”, “Rzhevsky vs. Napoleon”, in which Zelensky played

Director Marius Weisberg on the set of the film “Rzhevsky against Napoleon” Photo: “Studio Kvartal 95”

“For me, Vladimir Zelensky is the most decent person I know. I used him as an example to friends and acquaintances even before the conversation about politics arose. Just as a human being, as a professional - and we worked with him for 10 years - he is a deeply decent and honest person. I can also say that he is a very modest person and always helped all his partners - Svetlana Khodchenkova and Oksana Akinshina. Helped them to be the center of attention, being in the frame, to feel comfortable. He was so well brought up - he comes from a very good family - that he gave the girl priority. This is rare in show business. He is a gentleman in the deepest sense of the word. He did not allow himself to assert himself at the expense of others, although he had such an opportunity: he produced some projects and had power. And Volodya never had star fever. He always gave the impression that he was more than an artist, that he was first and foremost a human being.

As for relations between Russia and Ukraine, I think things can’t get any worse, so if he is elected president, it will be better. How much better and how much he will cope with all this is a question, but I really believe in him. Volodya is very committed to Ukraine and is focused on doing everything for the benefit of Ukraine. At the same time, he is a deeply rational person and will not make any emotional, impulsive decisions that could harm the interests of his country. I think the irrational and emotional notes will go away from Russian-Ukrainian relations.”

Vladimir Epifantsev, actor

Played with Zelensky in the film “Eight Best Dates”

Vladimir Zelensky and Vladimir Epifantsev (from left to right) Photo: “Studio Kvartal 95”

“I know Vladimir Zelensky as a sincere, kind and cheerful fellow. If, during his reign, he manages to maintain his ease of perception, non-aggression and sense of humor, then he will become not just a good president, but also a salvation for our entire monkey world, stuck in the instincts and thirst for dominance. Serious people not only do not inspire confidence in me, but also the desire to communicate. Life is a game full of cool traps and surprises. The game is the principle of the state of the material universe, and if you play it with serious intentions, then joy will not come from it. I am sure that Zelensky has a great attitude towards Russia - just like any country on this planet. Otherwise you can't play this game. If this new role pleases him, then everything will move from dead to living. Only a joyful president will be of use!”

"He will be a good president." What colleagues from show business say about Zelensky