Filmmaker Vlada Senkova: Life’s Wake-Up Calls Spark Growth
Filmmaker Vlada Senkova: Life’s Wake-Up Calls Spark Growth
Vlada Senkova, a Belarusian film director, has made waves in the international film scene with her movie “II” (Two), which won the “Chyrvony Veras” award for Best Feature Film. This is not her first accolade; her debut feature “Count in Oranges” received the Discovery Award at the International Film Festival of East European Films in Cottbus, Germany, and a diploma for “A Bold and Fresh Perspective” at the Minsk International Film Festival “Listapad” in 2016.
Early Life and Career
Vlada Senkova is a Belarusian director, producer, and screenwriter. She graduated from Belarusian State University in 2010 and from Andrey Polupanov’s film school-studio in 2013, specializing in screenwriting and directing. She is the creator of feature films such as “Count in Oranges” (2015) and “Elie/Elina” (2017), and has participated in numerous international festivals.
The Making of “Count in Oranges”
“Count in Oranges” is Vlada’s first directorial work, released in December 2015. The film received a diploma for “A Bold and Fresh Perspective” at the Minsk International Film Festival “Listapad”. When asked about her experience making her first film, Vlada shared:
“I was ready to make a movie. I wasn’t looking for a specific idea; I wanted to make a feature film right away. Short films are not for me. I was sitting with a friend in a bar, and Nirvana started playing. Suddenly, I realized that I should make a movie about teenagers.”
She wrote the script in the winter, and filming began in July 2013. After filming, they crowdfunded for the sound production. Vlada admitted that she didn’t know much at the time and thought the process would be simple. She trapped herself; a month later, she realized that it was complex, but the mechanism was already in motion.
Commercial vs. Author Cinema
Vlada discussed the concept of commercial cinema, stating that from the perspective of American blockbusters and Russian New Year comedies, “Count in Oranges” is not a commercial film. However, in Finland, author cinema is considered commercial, and art house films are extremely experimental. Germans were surprised to learn that in Belarus, films are often made with personal funds or parental support.
International Reception
“Count in Oranges” had a limited release in Belarus and was shown at several festivals. Vlada recently returned from Germany, where she attended the international film festival in Cottbus and received the Discovery Award. She was impressed by the reaction of German viewers, who were interested in Belarus and its way of life. They liked the color of her film, which was a result of the low-budget filming conditions.
Belarusian Themes in Cinema
Vlada believes that Belarusian themes can be interesting to international audiences. She mentioned a documentary film “Toys” by Lithuanian director Lina Lužytė about Hlobin, which was successful at European festivals. However, Vlada felt that the film presented a skewed view of Belarus. She acknowledged the problems in her country but emphasized that the situation is not as dire as depicted in the film.
“Count in Oranges”: A Reflection of Belarusian Reality
Vlada affirmed that “Count in Oranges” reflects Belarusian reality, with typical characters and real-life situations. She shared an anecdote about a university professor who told a late student to enter the classroom “like a plebeian.” Vlada tried to incorporate many layers of meaning into each scene, which some criticized. However, after the film’s reception in Germany, she realized that she hadn’t overloaded the film with meaning.
“Elie/Elina”: A More Commercial Film
Vlada’s second film, “Elie/Elina,” is more commercial, with a straightforward plot. It’s a romantic comedy and a life melodrama. Vlada admitted that it’s not entirely her film, as the producer set conditions (he played the lead role, and they used his music). However, she still considers it a success.
The Meaning Behind “Count in Oranges”
“Count in Oranges” is a story about growing up in Belarus. Everything happens over three days at a dacha in unpleasant conditions. Vlada believes that growth requires a situation that forces you to think, something that shakes you up. She shared that this happens many times and doesn’t depend on age. It starts in youth, with the end of first love, and continues with life’s challenges.
For more information about Vlada Senkova and her films, visit her IMDb page.
