Childhood and youth
Vadim is a descendant of an ancient Ossetian family, born in June 1976 in the town of Digora. His great-great-grandfather Babat Tsallati was the only one to survive the plague epidemic, saving himself in a family fortress built back in the 14th century. Frigate Castle, towering 2 thousand meters above the ground, now belongs to the actor.
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Vadim Tsallati in his youth
As a child, Vadim loved to sing; he organized a musical group at school. Another hobby is poetry, a passion for which was instilled by Father Ramazan. The head of the family was a highly spiritual person, and the son emphasizes that he owes his current well-being to him.
After school, Tsallati entered the veterinary faculty, but never graduated - at the suggestion of a friend, he went to the Shchukin School, to take the course of Yuri Avsharov.
Theater and films
Cinema and theater are equivalent for Vadim. The only differences are in the sensations and degree of impact, and he appeared on the stage of the Taganka Theater later than in the film. For Yuri Lyubimov, the actor played in “Chronicles” and “The Good Man from Szechwan.” Tsallati considers Rustam Ibragimbekov, in whose Ibrus Theater he also had the chance to perform, to be the director who influenced his further biography.
His film career began in his student years with episodes in crime films and action films “The Lion’s Share”, “A Man’s Work - 2”, “Thrown March”. Soon directors began to invite Vadim to more serious roles, but his role remained the same - terrorist, gang leader, hooligan. These are, for example, “Code of Honor”, “Breakthrough”, “Landing Forces”.
In the film “Shooting Mountains” about border guards guarding the southern borders of Russia, he is a militant, in “Carousel” he is the commander of an entire squad of thugs, in “Detectives” he is a defendant in a criminal case. Egor Konchalovsky's Antikiller 2, which has become a classic, starring Gosha Kutsenko, is one of the actor's favorite works.
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“Playing an anti-hero is a big responsibility. We must not advertise his lifestyle and actions, but simply play well, so that the viewer understands that this is a game, but sees a scumbag in front of him and feels disgust towards him.”
In 2004, Tsallati appeared in the TV series “On the Corner of the Patriarchs - 3” and “Moscow Saga”. A year later, the actor’s name appeared in the credits of the historical detective story “Gorynych and Victoria,” filmed by Vladimir Grammatikov. The film is about a general's daughter, who decided to follow in her father's footsteps and engage in detective work. Vadim played the role of businessman Sergei.
The creators of the film “Utesov. A song that lasts a lifetime,” despite the difference in height (181 cm for the actor versus 172 cm for the party functionary), they saw in the Ossetian features similar to the appearance of Lavrentiy Beria. In the biographical drama “Stalin. Live” about the last days of the life of the head of the USSR Tsallati reincarnated as the leader’s adjutant. In the military film “Saboteur. The End of the War" played a private in the Red Army.
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Vadim Tsallati in the series “Interns”
The artist received his first major role in the crime detective “Red on White”, where Andrei Ilyin and Evgenia Mikhailova became his partners.
Vadim says that it was the positive characters who made him popular, and the most recognizable of this group is the anesthesiologist, the object of passion for the character Christina Asmus from “The Interns.” The actor met the leading actor Ivan Okhlobystin in the almanac “Moscow, I love you!” He wore a white doctor’s coat in both the drama “Schultes” and the comedy “My Boyfriend is an Angel.”
A small but striking role as the leader of the rangers went to Vadim in the adventure fantasy “While the Fern Blooms.” He has an unexpected image of a priest in the TV series “Brothers”. Before filming this project, Tsallati asked for the blessing of Father George, whom he had known for many years.
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In 2015, the artist’s filmography was supplemented by the action film “Mafia. Survival game". Vadim described his character as the only participant in the show who has no fear. In the same year, Tsallati appeared in the comedy “What Men Do - 2” in the company of show business stars Tair Mamedov, Elena Berkova, Natalia Zemtsova and Roman Yunusov.
The actor’s hero in the detective story “A Corner of Paradise” runs a brothel, in the comedy “Mixed Feelings” he leads a gypsy camp, in the drama “Gerasim” he is a symbol of the dark past of a man who, it would seem, has already found peace within the walls of the temple.
Yegor Konchalovsky, as a producer, invited Vadim to the film “Baku, I love you!” Tsallati’s company in the short story “Aysel” was composed by Agniya Ditkovskite, and the film was shot with the support of the Foundation named after the first President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev.
Conversation with actor Vadim Tsallati.
— Hello, today our guest is People’s Artist of North Ossetia, popular Russian actor Vadim Tsallati.
- Hello!
— As per tradition, I will read your biography. You will correct me if I am mistaken somewhere, although according to the Ossetian tradition there is no need to contact you if someone does not know about the relationship between Ossetians. Vadim Tsallati was born on June 17, 1976 in the city of Digora, North Ossetia. He is the owner of a 14th-century family castle in Ossetia, which participated in the multimedia project “Russia-10”. In 2002 he graduated from the Shchukin Theater School. During his studies he worked at the Taganka Theater. After graduating from drama school, he began acting in films. Played more than forty roles. The actor gained fame thanks to his work in the films “Moscow, I Love You”, “Saboteur. The End of the War", "Thrown March", "Antikiller-2", "Olympius Inferno". Vadim Tsallati won the love of the audience as a bright and charismatic performer of the roles of negative characters. The actor’s real popularity came from his role as doctor David Tokoev in the TV series “Interns.” In parallel with his work in cinema, Vadim Tsallati plays in the theater. He played the main role in the play “Confession of a Poetry Lover.” The author of the production, Rustam Ibragimbekov, was reproached for being too frank and provocative. In November 2013, the multi-part film “Shuller” was released on Channel One. Vadim played a gambler who lived in Odessa in the 1980s. In 2014, the film “Mixed Feelings” was released, in which Vadim played an authoritative gypsy named Stepan.
Vadim, even though this is a biography from your personal website, did I say everything correctly and did I miss anything important?
- I guess, yes. This is not my entire filmography, some major projects were probably included, because it was not me who did it. Moreover, every year the list is replenished with new projects. I worked at the Taganka Theater after graduation. I worked there for a year and a half, then I actually immediately started acting in films. And, probably, there are already more than fifty projects, not forty. Yes, indeed, the viewer probably knows me more as an anti-hero, although over the last two years I have even had doubts, because after the release of “Interns” most viewers already know me as this hero, whom I played with great pleasure.
— Well, your antiheroes are charismatic.
— I believe that an anti-hero should always be played charismatically, he should not be played as an everyday person. If we play an everyday anti-hero, it turns out that we are engaged in some kind of advertising of his lifestyle. Whatever you want. In my opinion, you need to rise a little above everyday life to show how well, coolly, brightly, charismatically you play an anti-hero. You're not like that, but you play him. The viewer should feel it. And a positive hero must be absolutely positive.
— That is, the secret is persuasiveness...
- Of course, you need to take an example from a positive hero, imitate him, but you don’t need to take an example from an anti-hero. You just need to enjoy the game.
- This is already a small course in acting. More than 50 roles... The question arises, what are your favorite roles?
— My favorite ones... Many, actually. For example, one of my first projects is Antikiller-2, and I really like it. I like my hero and the project itself. This project is probably more than 10 years old, and, dare I say it, the first and second parts have already become classics. There are films that have already become classics. Here is “Saboteur. End of the War." Every year they always show it on Channel One. And “Antikiller-2” is also shown several times a year, and people love it very much. It can be very nice when someone comes up and quotes individual phrases. 10 years later. There was a very touching scene with Alexei Serebryakov about two brothers - the older and the younger. This scene is talked about very often. I also really like, of course, the role in “Interns”, because this was my first experience in the genre of comedy, sitcom. The other day they wrote to me: “You know, Vadim, I still like the way you play anti-heroes better, I watched two films at once - “Olympius Inferno” (by the way, I really love this project) and then immediately watched the four-part film “Red on Bel" (where I played the positive protagonist, an employee of the State Drug Control Service). And although I was interested in principle, I like this work too, of course, but for some reason he liked the anti-hero more. I understand why. Because the anti-hero is more prominent and charismatic, he allows himself things that few people can afford in life, because they will either go to prison, or they will hit him in the head, or something else.
— Interesting observation. But here is the series “Interns”. I’m not an enemy of TV series, I generally enjoy watching them, but there is also criticism of this type of art.
- Well... I'm afraid...
— Imagine yourself as a sitcom lawyer.
— “Interns” is a separate story and cannot be compared. You cannot compare it with any other project or series, because it is of high quality. This is an absolutely high quality project, which is why it has been the number one project for several years now. The public loved him...
- And time tests him...
- Yes Yes Yes. I wouldn’t compare it with any other projects. I’ve worked in other TV series, and how I feel about TV series... if I come to a project, then I’m only responsible for my role. I had this story. In the fall, I filmed the fourth season in Gelendzhik - you know, probably, this project “Bros” - there is a wonderful cast there, we have never worked, but I know many of them. There are Alexey Kravchenko, Nadya Borisova, very good actors, indeed, whom the country knows both from theater and cinema. When I was offered a role in the fourth season, as soon as I read it, I immediately realized that I would play there, because it was all written out very tasty, and when I already met with the director, I realized that we had found a common language that we It's very interesting that it is very deep. I always work at 100%. And it was quite interesting for me to work there. After this project, I had to fly to Los Angeles in a month. We were filming another project in Hollywood, and the guys who were filming there with me, one of them was so sincerely surprised: how did you know that you would fly to Hollywood to film a full-length film, and you play in “Bros”? I say: yes, this is a fucking cool role, why not? Moreover, I only play in one season. There were very good reviews, the film was shown, i.e. I treat this like... At one time I saw a very wonderful example - take the same Alexey Serebryakov, he plays in the most “simple” series and in full-length projects, and in television projects, and everywhere he looks very decent, and no one will say , why is he filming there, on this channel. He takes his work very seriously.
— Like Joseph Kobzon, who sings equally on the stage of the Kremlin Palace and on the stage of some rural club in Siberia.
- Interesting said!
— I had the opportunity to observe Kobzon in Siberia, who gave his all to the milkmaids. This is cool.
(The full version of the conversation is in the “Video” section.)
Personal life
Vadim does not yet have a wife or children, but the actor, by his own admission, is working on a task called personal life. In January 2017, Oksana Tarasova, the ex-wife of football player Dmitry Tarasov, posted a photo on social networks hugging the screen star and announced a passionate romance. It is unknown how things are in reality - there is no evidence of close relationships on Tsallati’s Instagram. As an option, the man does not talk about the secrets of his heart.
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Vadim Tsallati and Natalya Rudova
Unexpected news for fans was Vadim’s desire to run for deputy of the parliament of North Ossetia-Alania on party lists. Having won the elections, he refused the mandate - he preferred cinema to politics.
The actor loves to travel, loves gatherings with loved ones, songs with a guitar and aromatic barbecue.
Vadim Tsallati now
In 2019, actor Kirill Pletnev presented his next directorial work to the audience - the comedy melodrama “Seven Dinners”. The heroes of the film are spouses experiencing a crisis in their relationship. To avoid divorce, the husband invites his wife to a restaurant under certain conditions. Tsallati played a visitor to the establishment in which Roman Kurtsyn and Polina Maksimova are trying to make peace.
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Vadim Tsallati in 2020
The action of the spy film “The Lighthouse Keeper” takes place in Crimea before the First World War. The plot centers on German and Russian intelligence officers. The first are trying to blow up a lighthouse located on the peninsula, the second are trying to stop them from doing this. Vadim got the role of a local resident.
In addition, the actor starred in the sports drama “Defense Avenue” about underground fights without rules, and the comedy “Let’s Come in Large Numbers!” (“Jacket”) is about a Jew who learns about his Caucasian roots. In the future, Tsallati plans to take up directing and, first of all, remake the 1958 film “Fatima,” which was banned from showing in Turkey.
SOUTH OSSETIA TODAY
On March 18, the Chermen State Concert Hall hosted the premiere screening of the science fiction film “Mafia: Game of Survival,” in which Vadim Tsallati played one of the roles. On the same day, representatives of the South Ossetian media met with this wonderful, sociable and interesting person.
We know Vadim Tsallati from the films “Divergent: End of War”, where he played a naval officer, from the film “Olympius Inferno”, and from many others...
Until a certain period of time, he was positioned among the audience as a negative character, as evidenced by his victory at the XIV International Festival “DetectiveFEST” in the “Antihero” category for playing the role of a negative hero. The first question was, of course, about his roles as a negative hero, which he was so skillfully able to show on the screen.
“The last three years after Interns, when I played the role of David Taimurazovich there - an Ossetian, an anesthesiologist - I began to play positive characters more often. And in the film “Mafia” I play a super-positive hero,” he admits.
Despite his negative roles, as he himself admitted, his first wide popularity was given to him by his positive role - captain of the second rank Daur in the Channel One project “Saboteur: End of War.”
Many of us are very sensitive to everything that concerns us directly. That is, we are a small republic, and any mention, positive, of course, about us causes a storm of emotions. Of course, films that came out after the well-known August events cannot bring joy as such. You don’t really want to become noticeable thanks to a tragedy. But still.
We followed almost all films with curiosity, be it documentaries or feature films. And therefore, when the film “Olympius Inferno” was released, many were suspicious, so to speak, of one hero - Vaho. Is it really possible for a Georgian actor to take part in such a project?! As it seemed then, this hero was definitely not Russian and, especially, not Ossetian. After all, at that time Vadim Tsallati was not so popular in South Ossetia. I admit, after I saw the cast of the film, I was surprised - he was Ossetian. Vadim Tsallati himself admitted that people approached him more than once and asked whether he was really an Ossetian.
“I was offered this role, and I was faced with a fact - I had to play a hero who, if any viewer watched, be it in Europe or in the USA, would be understandable to anyone. That is, an anti-hero without nationality. There was a case when I met Nodar Pliev, our outstanding artist, at a concert, after the release of this film. We were sitting at the table. And at that time they called me, and I began to speak Ossetian. He looked at me strangely and said that he was sure that I was Georgian. Because in this film I was able to speak purely Georgian, even though I didn’t know it,” said the actor.
Vadim Tsallati also spoke about the problem that now exists in Russian cinema. Scripts are being written, but the main characters in them do not come from small nations. There are many scenarios where the main role is given to a Russian person. This, of course, does not have such a good effect on actors of other nationalities, because, as often happens, in many film projects the Caucasian peoples are shown from the negative side: as terrorists, criminals, and the like.
“For us to turn on the TV and watch a film, not a series, and see, for example, an Abkhaz, a Dagestani, or a guy of a different nationality who plays the main positive role, and whose name is not Ibrahim or Vakho - this is not the case,” admits actor.
Therefore, the role that he got in “Mafia” is also significant in that he plays there a typical Westerner. The actor admitted that he had been working towards this role for a long time.
Vadim Tsallati, taking this opportunity, thanked Znaur Gassiev, Ambassador of the Republic of South Ossetia to the Russian Federation. The screening of this film became possible thanks to this man: “I was captivated by his attentive attitude towards our fellow countrymen. It glorifies our homeland not only in the field of sports, but also in culture. He suggested that I bring this film here to Tskhinvali. And I instantly agreed with great joy.”
At the end of the conversation, one of the reporters raised a question about the actor’s attitude to the possible film adaptation of Narty Kadzhytæ, in turn, Vadim Tsallati supported the idea, but added that, unfortunately, this requires money.
“You need to write a very good script based on “Narty Kadzhdytæ”, firstly, then you need a lot of money to come up with these images, embody them and film them. Film it in a way that makes it interesting. We need a very experienced director, costume designer and much more. Every detail is important there,” he said.
And in fact, if there is such an idea, then you need to approach it with caution. After all, this is our mythology, and it should not become a second-rate movie.
Inna Kochieva
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