#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. According to Borodina, a journalist, media reviewer, and author of a Telegram channel with years of experience in prominent media outlets, the growing interest in series is not accidental. She believes that the production quality of series in Russia is currently at a high level, often surpassing that of feature films, and they are drawing in star-studded casts.
Borodina has emphasized multiple times that she is not a film critic but a media reviewer with a wealth of viewing experience. For many years, she has written about and discussed series in various media and at audience meetings. She prepared a selection of recent Russian series that she considers the most interesting and deserving of attention.
The discussion started with the series Minute of Silence. This was no coincidence, as part of it was filmed in Norilsk, and the idea was conceived by Vladimir Potanin, the president of the Nornickel company.
“The series is intriguing because it features numerous flashbacks and historical references, including to the era of the Great Patriotic War. It showcases excellent performances and impressive cinematography”, Borodina believes.
Another series Borodina included in her must-watch list is Give the Show. This series stands out as a blend of television and show business that accurately captures the realities of these fields. The cast adds excitement: Milosh Bikovich, Igor Vernik, Victoria Tolstoganova, and others.
Several of the series suggested by Borodina reflect the darker sides of Russian realities over the years – crime in the 90s, a tough time of strikes, and corruption scandals. For example, the series Coal, directed by Vladimir Kott in 2017, had its online premiere only on November 16, 2023, and was later shown on Channel One in February. Interestingly, one of the main roles is played by Yura Borisov, one of Russia’s most famous actors today and an Oscar nominee.
“Coal is a family saga and a well-crafted melodrama. I would definitely recommend it to fans of Yura Borisov; he delivers a fantastic performance”, notes Borodina.
Another Russian actor who has made a mark in Hollywood, Mark Eidelstein, plays one of the main characters in the series Pharma. This series is unique and somewhat slow-paced but carries an important social context. Additionally, it features a lot of rap, with Eidelstein himself writing the lyrics.
Borodina also highlighted several other intriguing series: Eavesdropped in Rybins (an ironic detective story with a touch of mysticism, notable for being filmed in Rybinsk – this is a distinctive feature of recent series, which are often shot not in capitals but in provincial towns or regional centers); Golden Bottom, which has been renewed for a second season; Route, a spectacular thriller and one of the most popular series of the past year; and what she believes to be the best series of 2024 – Crime and Punishment by Vladimir Mirzoyev, featuring Ivan Yankovsky as Raskolnikov.
The series Outsource received particular attention—a very intense psychological detective story, drama, and even thriller.
“To be honest, I was advised to watch it one episode every few days since the plot is quite complex, especially morally. If you don’t enjoy such stories, I wouldn’t recommend it. For others, it’s definitely worth watching. The premise is this: on the eve of Russia’s moratorium on the death penalty, a new warden named Konstantin starts working in a special prison. After meeting the father of one of the victims, Konstantin realizes that it’s the loved ones who have the right to execute the punishment. With the support of his colleagues, they come up with a new business idea – to outsource the execution of the death penalty. But it soon becomes clear that money and justice are incompatible”, Borodina explains.
Throughout the meeting, Borodina emphasized that this list of series is her personal selection and may not resonate with all viewers:
“My criteria for choosing a particular work include a good script, the director’s vision, and a talented cast. Sometimes I also check who is producing it. I usually watch the first two episodes – that’s my rule. During that viewing, I assess what story is being told, how it’s directed, and how the actors perform. Unfortunately, sometimes nothing lives up to expectations”.
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Text: Maria Sokolova, Photo: Nikolay Shchipko
