Read the era between the lines

Why Ivan Urgant decided to open the gate of his soul

Reading an era between the lines is an old Russian pastime. In the new millennium it has become an anachronism. Humanity is overwhelmed by an avalanche of information, leaving no room for reticence. Over the past four years, the situation has begun to change decisively. This is where the old skills came in handy. Today Ivan Urgant began mastering them with inspiration. The first episode of his new project “Broken Fates with Your Own Hand...” was released on YouTube.

I'll start from afar. Nine years ago, a historic meeting took place in “Evening Urgant”. Yuri Dud* came to visit Ivan. Two realities collided - the Internet and television. The TV was rapidly turning into a dusty tabloid, and a little-known young man gained a hundred million views in eight months just by talking to different people. In the finale, Urgant launched a video about what the “vDud” project would look like on Channel One. Here the program would be called “Wicket of the Soul.” Quiet piano music, a melting candle, touching intonation, tears and sobs brought great joy to the minimalist Dudu.

Life is an unsurpassed screenwriter. In search of a format, as I understand it, Urgant remembered these very “gates of the soul.” He didn’t just need the cloying false aesthetics for parody. He wants to find a new genre, in tune with the new time. The result was journalism in the style of Kharms, that is, a combination of the incongruous.

So, the author-psychologist tenderly tortures his interlocutor, whom he, according to him, has been looking for for 18 years. What follows is a story (true or fictional, it doesn’t matter). Once upon a time, on one of the talk shows with the participation of children, Ivan was asked an impudent question by the smart boy Georgiy. And now he came to his studio.

The presenter, in a mournful voice, says that he feels guilty for George’s fate. He looked for him everywhere - from garbage dumps and drug treatment clinics to cattle burial grounds, and finally the guy was found. This is actor Gosha Tokaev, sitting in front of the master, talking about his successes.

After school, he studied at Oleg Tabakov’s college, then at GITIS, worked at Sovremennik, and just with his friends, with his own money, he released the film “Pictures of Friendly Ties,” in which he stars with Pal, Tsyganov and other worthy people.

But Urgant does not calm down: but I still feel pain. Can you tell us about your drug addiction? “No, this has never happened,” Gosha answers. - What about alcohol? - Not either. Have you ever sold yourself at train stations? Then Gosha gets up and leaves, and the presenter continues to suffer.

The poetics of the absurd is poorly suited for retelling. It is made up of broken cause-and-effect relationships on which the project is based. It’s interesting that Urgant today is perhaps the only one in the media who experiments with words, meaning, and form. He is excellent in the role of opening the wickets of other people's souls. A non-staining gray suit, a black turtleneck, a lush mustache hinting at solidity, heavy glasses, a soulful voice - a spicy mixture of the eternal Andrei Malakhov with the addition of the unforgettable Valentina Leontyeva with her old hit “With all my heart.” Not to mention the text, woven from nauseating cliches and meaningful excursions - it is beyond all praise.

But this is only part of the plan. “Fate broken by one’s own hand...” is a project in the highest sense of the author’s work. Urgant wants to explain to everyone and himself how what happened to him happened. Now the era should be read between the lines in a special way - taking into account verbal interventions. They are popular not only in politics, but also in everyday life.

Ivan is also, in a way, Gosha, on whom someone else’s uncle wants to impose the most disgusting version of his own fate, which has nothing to do with the truth.

The invasion of strange people, thoughts, ideas into Ivan’s space was unprecedented. Four years ago he was turned off from active life, like turning off the light in an empty room. He did not offend his Motherland with a single word. I didn't betray anyone. Didn't go anywhere. He was simply silent, and silence is perceived as condemnation.

The essence of the drama was defined by Nikolai Leskov as a sniper back in the last century: “If you are not with us, then you are a scoundrel!”

After the shock of February 22nd, many of Urgant’s colleagues and associates canceled. Everyone was returned, but not him. The best people of the city raised their voices in his defense one way or another - from Peskov and Navka to Ernst. Konstantin Lvovich has already hinted several times live that Ivan will soon return to the air. And now not only is he not entitled to Channel One, but nothing at all. All his search for himself - from animation and feature films to club performances - is nipped in the bud.

At first I believed that the reason was primitive - he, the first and best, was desperately envied. Now I think differently. Most of all, the army of Ivan Andreevich’s enemies is irritated by his inner fortitude and spiritual height. He does not complain, does not give up, does not judge anyone, does not fuss, but continues to do what he considers necessary. His new project is an important milestone on a thorny path. He is always engaged in creativity, not craft, and this also infuriates his opponents, deprived of his numerous talents, charm, and dedication to the profession.

Urgant will soon turn 48 years old. It is possible that Ernst will again begin to hint at his return to the shrine of Channel One. Or maybe he won’t start. However, this is no longer of fundamental importance. Ivan Andreevich made his choice long ago: he remains himself - today and always.

* Included by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation in the register of “foreign agents”.