Intro
This conversation is part of a series around STILL: A Version, a film directed by Mobarez Javanmard. The project explores performance through rhythm, repetition, and controlled withholding.
Metadata
Actor: Alex Zhukov
Role: Lead Actor
Project: STILL: A Version
“What stands out is the level of trust.”
— Alex Zhukov, Lead Actor
Q— How did you approach a performance in a film that withholds explanation and relies heavily on rhythm and repetition?
A—
I approached it as a physical and emotional state rather than a traditional character with a clear arc.
Since the film doesn’t explain itself, I focused on rhythm how the body moves, pauses, and repeats.
It became less about “why” and more about presence within that world.
I tried to trust the atmosphere and let it guide me, rather than forcing meaning onto it.
Q— Were there moments where the absence of clear narrative guidance affected your performance? If so, how did you navigate that?
A—
Yes, definitely. At times, it felt uncomfortable not having a clear psychological roadmap.
But that discomfort became useful it placed me in a similar state to the character.
Instead of resolving it, I leaned into the uncertainty and used it as part of the performance.
“Without dialogue, every movement carries weight.”
— Alex Zhukov, Lead Actor
Q— The film places a strong emphasis on physical presence rather than dialogue. How did that shape the way you developed the character?
A—
It made me more aware of small details posture, stillness, and the duration of a moment.
Without dialogue, every movement carries weight.
I approached the body as a language of its own, where even minimal changes could communicate something internal.
Q— To what extent was your performance precisely directed, and how much emerged through discovery during the process?
A—
There was a strong sense of direction in terms of tone and rhythm, but within that, there was space to explore.
Much of the performance was discovered in the moment through repetition, adapting to the environment, and subtle changes that emerged during filming.
Q— Looking back at the finished work, what stands out to you about the relationship between the actor and the director in this project?
A—
What stands out is the level of trust.
The direction wasn’t about controlling every detail, but about creating a precise world and allowing me to exist within it.
It felt collaborative in a quiet way less about explanation, more about a shared understanding.
Hero Quote:
“It became less about ‘why’ and more about presence.”
— Alex Zhukov, Lead Actor
This conversation is part of the ongoing presentation of STILL: A Version.
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Credit:
JP Independent Journal
Editorial desk
JP Independent Journal 