The premiere of the documentary movie «Man of Labor» will take place on May 15 at 19:00 in the KZ of the MIPT GC. Filming partially took place at the university.
The film depicts one day in the life of several characters, each of whom is engaged in an important matter: a firefighter, an ambulance paramedic, a mathematician, a factory worker, a teacher, a tram driver. They don't wear raincoats, but they help a lot of people by just doing their job. For them, a profession is not just an activity, it is a way of life.
Alexander Gasnikov, head of the MIPT MMO laboratory, took part in the filming:
«About a year ago, the film director Olga Azhnakina called me. She said that she had seen several of my public appearances on YouTube and would like to invite me as one of the main characters in her film „Man of Labor“. The idea of the film seemed to me good and correct. Such a movie is almost not being filmed now, unfortunately. Or they shoot, but it's difficult to get through to federal channels or cinemas with him. I immediately wanted more people to see such a film.»
At the same time, initially, Alexander believed that he was not suitable for a role in that film. After all, there are so many famous scientists, for instance, A.M. Raigorodsky, who would more clearly represent the profession of a scientist, the head of the laboratory thought. But it turned out to be impossible to convince the director: Olga was looking for people who were passionate about their profession, and considered Alexander suitable for this role.
«I will not hide that I was inspired by several circumstances. Firstly, that my parents and relatives will watch the film. I really wanted them to be pleased for me. After all, a lot of effort was invested by my parents in their time so that I could start to get something in science. Secondly, I really wanted to show what a wonderful youth we have. To show that despite the objective difficulties, there are many young and talented guys who want to live and work in Russia and, in particular, at MIPT. And they do it well. I also wanted to participate in the creation of alternative content to the „blue“ lights that have filled their teeth and the corresponding program of programs on TV. When you can't find a good program about an outstanding scientist, doctor, engineer. Just recently, one of the greatest mathematicians of the XX century, A.N. Kolmogorov, was 120 years old. Have you seen a lot of TV shows? I have just one small program on „Culture“,» Gasnikov said.
The young scientist also shared his impressions during the filming. According to Alexander, he was impressed by the work of Olga Azhnakina's film crew:
«In the summer of 2022, filming began. For each of the six main characters, 7-9 hours of interviews and various activities related to professional and not only activities were filmed. From all this, it was necessary to „cut“ 53 minutes of the film. If we take into account that the characters said what they thought, and from this it was necessary to collect something connected with the general idea — this task is definitely not easy… To be honest, I didn't even know that we have such wonderful professionals in cinematography. And that not everything is measured by how much someone gets for what. There are some higher values, and sometimes people are motivated by this. It is very close to me. Every day brought real pleasure from communicating with like-minded people.»
After watching the film, Alexander realized that all his expectations regarding the project were fully justified.
«Such a movie should have been shot and, in theory, it should open the way to some new genre. I hope it will find its well-deserved place on the new agenda. I would like to eventually see in the broadcast network not only all sorts of entertainment programs with jokes, scandals, mediocre songs and others in prime time, but also programs about people who made our country great by doing their job,» Gasnikov summed up.
The movie was shot by the creative association «Yablonya» with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives. The director and producer is Olga Azhnakina. The premiere of «Man of Labor» in Russia will take place on April 10, 2023 in the Great Hall of the Cinema House.
