Russian born actress Oliviia Tcargush talks being multi-linguistic and her latest movies in Hollywood. In an exclusive interview, Film News sat down with Oliviia to talk about the movie ‘I Give You My Word 2.’
Can you introduce yourself for our readers please? Hi! I am Oliviia Tcargush, an actress based in Los Angeles. I was born in Moscow, Russia but with a mix of Abkhazian and Georgian heritage.
What prompted you to be an actor? It all started at the age of 12. I was part of a theatre company, performing in the "Yeralash" Christmas Concert on one of Moscow's most famous and historic stages for an audience of 1000 people. We repeated this performance for two weeks over two years. During that time, I felt a unique energy both from the audience and within myself. It was a realization of the profound exchange of energy between people who may not know each other, brought together by the art of acting. Trying new things and facing fears became exciting. I learned early on that everyone feels scared at first, but facing fears makes life more vibrant. That moment standing on stage, bathed in the reciprocated love of the audience, was a turning point for me. It illuminated the rightness of pursuing acting as my chosen path, a decision I've embraced wholeheartedly ever since.
What made you move to Los Angeles? I moved to Los Angeles for further training in my chosen career. Training holds immense importance for me. Even before I obtained my acting degrees in Los Angeles, I recognized the necessity of training as a vital guide in my career. Acting demands a profound self-awareness – understanding fears, strengths, joys, and vulnerabilities. It's a journey to know oneself entirely. Doing this alone can be challenging; sometimes, it's hard to push oneself as diligently as someone else can. Particularly at 18, having mentors and structured training is crucial.
For me, overcoming language barriers was a significant aspect of training. Coming from Russia, my accent posed a challenge. Through training, I learned various dialects and accents, expanding my vocabulary and acting range. Learning to use a standard American accent was transformative, enhancing my versatility as an actress.
Witnessing fellow actors on similar journeys, navigating their creative paths, is inspiring. Collaboration in a training environment fosters communication, creating a community of artists striving to improve. The ongoing need for guidance and coaching persists even with degrees and experience. Acting is subjective; what feels right may appear different to an audience. Training provides the essential external perspective to align intention with perception.
In essence, training is an ongoing necessity. Regardless of degrees and achievements, actors benefit from continuous learning, guidance, and the expertise of coaches and industry professionals. It's a collaborative effort to refine one's craft and navigate the intricacies of the ever-evolving world of acting.
Who are your filmmaker influences growing up that helped to mold you into who you are today? Oh, growing up in Russia, my cinematic influences were quite diverse. I was enchanted by the popular Russian fairytales and movies for children that not only entertained but also imparted valuable lessons about friendship, love, and kindness. Among these, Leonid Gaidai's films stood out, resonating with great humor and themes of kindness, friendship, and respect.
In addition to these Russian gems, I found inspiration in Hollywood classics like the Indiana Jones series, directed by Steven Spielberg. Spielberg's storytelling and cinematic prowess left a lasting impact on me. Another filmmaker who captured my imagination is Tim Burton. His unique creative vision, showcased in both live-action and animated films, demonstrated the power of bringing one's distinctive style, characters, and world to the screen.
Witnessing the works of Sofia Coppola and Quentin Tarantino during my formative years also left a profound impression. Coppola's storytelling finesse and Tarantino's unique cinematography in films fascinated me as a young viewer. It made me appreciate the art of creating a unique and beautiful world through one's own cinematography and style.
As I grew older, the films of Christopher Nolan became a source of awe and admiration. Even as a child, watching Nolan's creations was an incredible experience. Although I may not have fully grasped their complexity at the time, I was genuinely appreciative of the phenomenal and beautiful worlds he crafted on screen. These filmmakers collectively molded my understanding of the art of storytelling and ignited my passion for creating my own cinematic visions.
Tell us about the movie ‘I Give You My Word 2.’ The story is about best friends that go to a camp by the sea. In this camp there are a lot of other children - pioneers. They all have a lot of adventures, experience first love, friendships, and betrayals. I portrayed one of the Girl Pioneers, and my character is very nosy. She enjoys gossiping with her best friend, running around to overhear conversations, and asking for new stories. My character always has her best friend by her side, and they both share the same goal of gossiping and staying informed about what's happening in the camp. Despite being younger than everyone else, they make an effort to spend more time with the older pioneers.
I am nothing like my character, but it was a lot of fun to play a carefree character who just enjoys being themselves without a single care about anything else.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? If I could give advice to my younger self, I'd say, “Keep dreaming big and trust in your journey. Every step you take is a stride towards making those dreams a reality. Stay true to your path, because one day, you'll look back and be incredibly proud of how far you've come. Keep on shining and being yourself!”
What’s up next for you? I have several film and television projects lined up, more on those later!
Thank you, Oliviia, for taking the time to chat with us. Stay up to date with her on
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