Motley Youth
On July 21, the well-known Russian-Ukrainian actress Anna Kuzina marked her 44th birthday. The celebration did not take place in Russia with friends and colleagues, as one might expect, but rather in a foreign country. Kuzina currently resides with her family in one of Europe’s “civilized” nations.
She initially showed great potential in sports, participating in figure skating and alpine skiing, and even became a prizewinner at the Ukrainian Junior Freestyle Championship. However, her promising career in figure skating was cut short due to an injury that forced her to exit competitive sports.
Anna Kuzina could have become a famous athlete
Later, Anna graduated from the Lviv Polygraphic Institute, specializing in literary editing and journalism, and completed training at the Kiev improvisation theater studio “Black Square.” Subsequently, she was invited to join the troupe at the Kyiv center for contemporary art “Dakh,” where she made her debut in performances such as “The Wedding of Krechinsky” and “Vassa Zheleznova.”
Three years later, the young actress chose to move to Moscow, where she began to establish her creative career at the Sozvezdie theater arts workshop.
“Martin Eden in a Skirt”
Kuzina made her film debut in 2005 in the movie “Happy Birthday, Queen!”, portraying the character Elizabeth White. Her first significant success came with the film “Master,” where she starred alongside Pavel Maikov in one of the lead roles as the serf Zaryana.
Zaryana portrayed by Anna Kuzina
According to the renowned Ukrainian director Vladimir Tykhy, “Anna is our Martin Eden in a skirt. A person who entered the profession almost by chance, and within three years achieved the maximum possible in our non-Hollywood reality.”
“She has a wide range of roles, from silly girls to villains with intellectual depth,” the director opines.
The Ukrainian cinema of the early 2000s provided Anna Kuzina with diverse roles—from teachers to prostitutes, from waitresses to nurses. Leading parts in Ukrainian films such as “Mysterious Island,” “Button,” “Autumn Flowers,” “Native People,” and “The Power of Attraction” established her as one of the most recognized actresses in the republic.
Dasha from “The Mysterious Island”
Bravo, Anya!
In Russia, Kuzina began to gain attention in 2011 after portraying Yana Semakina in the TV series Univer and SashaTanya. Concurrently, the actress was actively involved in dubbing for both Russian and Ukrainian productions. She lent her voice to female characters in films like Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Sam and Cat, and Ghost.
“She’s phenomenal in Univer: touching, organic, authentic, charming, and appealing,” remarked a Moscow fan, Vladimir Golovachev, on Kuzina’s page on the Kino-teatr.ru website. “Bravo, Anya!”
Anna Kuzina and Stanislav Yarushin in the TV series “Univer. New Dorm”
According to a Dnepropetrovsk resident named Lyudmila, Anna Kuzina is simply unforgettable.
“Sweet, pleasant, has a unique soft voice with an inner strength,” a forum participant wrote on the same site. “I’ve read the reviews, and it’s lovely to see everyone unanimously admire the actress. She takes on intriguing roles in both theater and cinema!”
A Crossed-Out Past – An Uncertain Future
Indeed, until 2022, nearly every one of the 150 comments on the Kino-teatr.ru website was extremely complimentary. Following the start of the military special operation, there were no reviews, and she did not secure any further roles in Russian cinema. This was all because this “sweet and gentle creature” turned out to be not as angelic as previously believed.
Appearances can be deceptive…
To begin with, at the onset of the military operation, the actress was among the first to openly denounce the Russian “invasion” of Ukraine. She also publicly labeled President Vladimir Putin “a war criminal.” Additionally, she expressed gratitude to Ukrainian soldiers for their heroism and the rescue of civilians. As differences with her colleagues regarding the military operations emerged, the actress departed the Russian Federation.
Initially, Kuzina was set to appear in the sequel to the series that made her famous. This sequel is titled “Univer. 13 Years Later,” which is scheduled for release this year. However, that will no longer happen, as Yana Semakina will not be part of it.
After relocating from Russia, Anna Kuzina began to provide active support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which she frequently reported on her social media. Simultaneously, she believes that Russians are unaware of the full truth regarding the military operation, which leads them to support their government’s actions.
Anna Kuzina actively assists the Ukrainian Armed Forces in acquiring drones
She prefers to keep her personal life and professional plans private. It is known that the actress married in 2014 and left the project “Univer. New Dorm” two years later due to her pregnancy.
Interestingly, a colleague from Univer, actor Ararat Keshchyan also opposed the military operation at that time. In one interview, the former KVN player revealed that he admired Russia’s policies only until 2014 and genuinely does not understand why Russian soldiers are shooting at Ukrainians.
Ararat Keshchyan and Anna Kuzina
Anna now engages with her followers on social media exclusively in Ukrainian and regularly participates in fundraising efforts for military needs. In numerous interviews with Ukrainian media, Anna Kuzina has declared that she “will never act in Moscow films again.”
“Due to her political beliefs, Anna has effectively erased all of her past accomplishments and distanced herself from those who once adored her,” states the website “Culturology.”
It is known that Kuzina encourages people not to celebrate May 9, calls Russians “aggressors,” and aspires to achieve the ambitious goal of raising one million hryvnias to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In her blog, Kuzina frequently shares obituaries commemorating fallen soldiers, praising the Ukrainian army.
Anna Kuzina’s fundraising efforts for the Ukrainian Armed Forces on her social media
In doing so, Anna Kuzina may have overlooked the wise proverb about not spitting into a well, as it might become necessary to drink from it later. In Russia, she was well-known and popular, with annual projects that allowed her to earn a good living. Her native Ukraine is unlikely to make a new patriot wealthy, but in Europe, there are plenty of individuals like Kuzina…
Motley Youth: The Journey of Anna Kuzina
On July 21, 2023, the talented Russian-Ukrainian actress Anna Kuzina celebrated her 44th birthday. However, her celebration was not in Russia surrounded by friends and colleagues, but rather in a foreign land, as Kuzina currently resides with her family in one of the “civilized” countries of Europe. This journey marks a significant transformation in her career and personal life, painting a picture of resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
Once poised for a promising career in sports, Kuzina excelled in figure skating and alpine skiing, even becoming a prizewinner at the Ukrainian Junior Freestyle Championship. Unfortunately, an injurious setback thwarted her athletic aspirations, prompting her pivot to the performing arts.
Anna Kuzina could have become a famous athlete
After leaving sports, Anna pursued higher education, graduating from the Lviv Polygraphic Institute with a focus on literary editing and journalism. She further honed her craft at the Kiev improvisation theater studio “Black Square,” eventually joining the troupe at the Kyiv center for contemporary art “Dakh.” Here, she made her debut in productions such as “The Wedding of Krechinsky” and “Vassa Zheleznova.”
“Martin Eden in a Skirt”
Kuzina’s film career launched with her debut in 2005’s “Happy Birthday, Queen!” where she portrayed Elizabeth White. The breakthrough role came in the film “Master,” where she starred alongside Pavel Maikov as the serf Zaryana. Such performances showcased her incredible range and solidified her status as an actress of note.
Zaryana performed by Anna Kuzina
According to renowned Ukrainian director Vladimir Tykhy, “Anna is our Martin Eden in a skirt. A person who came into the profession almost from the street, and in three years achieved the maximum of what is possible in our non-Hollywood conditions.”
Kuzina’s versatility has allowed her to tackle a wide array of roles from comedic to dramatic, adapting seamlessly from teachers to villains, and has earned her recognition in Ukrainian cinema during the early 2000s. Leading roles in films such as “Mysterious Island,” “Button,” “Autumn Flowers,” and “The Power of Attraction” propelled her to fame.
Dasha from “The Mysterious Island”
Bravo, Anya!
In 2011, Anna Kuzina became a household name in Russia after landing the role of Yana Semakina in the popular TV series Univer and SashaTanya. Simultaneously, she showcased her vocal talents in dubbing for various films, including “Alice in Wonderland” and “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”
“She’s great at Univer: touching, organic, authentic, charming, and attractive,” commented a fan from Moscow on Kuzina’s page on Kino-teatr.ru.
Anna Kuzina and Stanislav Yarushin in the TV series “Univer. New Dorm”
Audiences, including those from Dnepropetrovsk, found her captivating, with viewers praising her talent and charm. Reviews until early 2022 were overwhelmingly positive, but the onset of the military conflict dramatically altered the public perception of the actress.
A Crossed-Out Past – An Unclear Future
In 2022, amidst the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Anna took a stand against the military aggression, publicly condemning the actions of the Russian government. She did not hesitate to label President Vladimir Putin as “a war criminal,” which resulted in significant backlash from parts of the industry.
Appearances can be deceiving…
Following her outspoken stance, Kuzina left Russia, ceasing to work in Russian cinema, which effectively ended her prominent acting career there. Initially slated to reprise her role in the long-awaited sequel, “Univer. 13 Years Later,” she confirmed Yana Semakina would not return. Instead, her new chapter involved supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a subject she actively discusses on her social media platforms.
While Anna Kuzina continues to keep her personal life private, she acknowledges being married since 2014, having taken a break from “Univer” to focus on motherhood. Notably, fellow acting colleagues, including actor Ararat Keshchyan, also criticized the military operation, leaving similar sentiments on public forums.
Ararat Keshchyan and Anna Kuzina
Kuzina’s public persona has shifted dramatically. She utilizes her social media to communicate exclusively in Ukrainian, participating in fundraising efforts for the military, aiming to acquire resources like drones to support Ukraine’s defense.
“I will never act in Moscow films again,” she declared in numerous interviews, distancing herself from past roles and asserting her newfound identity.
Anna Kuzina’s fundraising to help the Ukrainian Armed Forces on her social networks
As Kuzina passionately advocates for her country, she aims to collect substantial resources for the armed forces while publicly honoring fallen soldiers. Her absence from the Russian film industry and her commitment to Ukraine illustrate a radical change in her trajectory, marking her as a significant figure in contemporary Ukrainian culture.
In summary, Anna Kuzina’s journey from a promising sports career to a celebrated actress, and now an activist, showcases a profound transformation driven by conviction and personal values. Whether in artistic endeavors or social advocacy, Anna continues to resonate with audiences, albeit through a dramatically reshaped lens.
