Krepostnaya

"It is an altogether beautiful story set in a lovely scenery and supplied with gorgeous costumes. We, as cast, had never thought of it as such a great hit. We simply did our best." (Katerina Kovalchuk in an interview in Poland).

"It is an exceptional project for me. So far, I have not had a chance to take part in this kind of work and it is even a greater pleasure for me because I am keen on history." (Alexey Yarovienko in an interview in Poland).

It seems that those words tell everything and in spite of the fact that this is not a historical production, the series will soon become historic because it has become a hit already in my homeland. We Poles have felt privilidged to welcome three members of the cast in Poland recently: Katerina Kovalchuk, Alexey Yarovienko and Michail Gavrilov.

At the beginning of my review, I must admit that I am not a particular fan of soap operas and long series with many seasons and episodes because sooner or later, the producers tend to skip the point, somehow, and the action becomes, in a way, boring. There have been a few timeless productions, nevertheless, which were exceptions to that rule. In my country (Poland), the first soap opera still remembered by many was the Brazilian ISAURA showed on Polish television in the mid-1980s. The streets became quiet when it was on. People were crazy about it and some new born female babies were christened Isaura in spite of its odd sounding name. Later, as years passed by and there were more and more cheap soap operas, a lot of movie fans and contemporary viewers treated them with slight irony. It seemed no such 'social mania' might be ahead of us. Additionally, we must consider the role of television which has changed tremendously after all these years. Yet, a greater success came which has awed people in my country. In this way, none of us thought of it as a hit (referring to Ms Kovalchuk's words). It was a true surprise for all of us.

After the premiere of season 1 in Ukraine and its presentation in Cannes, the Polish television TVP1 started to broadcast the Ukrainian series THE LOVE IN CHAINS (originally KREPOSTNAYA which can be translated as "enslaved") in July. Although the parallels occurred strong with the aforementioned ISAURA and some maybe saw THE LOVE IN CHAINS as a sort of its 'remake,' the series attracted our attention from its very beginning and occurred captivating. As it consists of 48 fifty minute-episodes (24 episodes for season 1 and 24 for season 2), my wife and I watched it almost every evening because it was on TV so often. Its popularity grew so rapidly that the TV bought the second season right away and the Polish viewers could see it even before the Ukrainian ones. Why is it such a sensation?

As penned by Svetlana Tsivinskaya and directed by Feliks Gerchikov and Maksim Litvinov, it is a mesmerizing depiction of various characters. All characters, even the supporting ones, are memorable and sophisticated. It's not the way like: 'Now I am going to show you a true villain" No, everyone is depicted psychologically and bound to change. Moreover, the story is set in a very intereresting period of history, in the mid 1850s in Ukraine (which belonged to tsarist Russia at that time). As a period drama, it rightly hits the tone of the 19th century, supplies us with an in-depth insight into the reality, particularly the discrepancies between the rich and the poor. While watching it, you are brought to that time along with its beauty, sophistication and elegance. You follow the fate of Katerina Verbitskaya which is filled with, symbolically, everything that a person can experience in life, most tormented life actually (physically, mentally and spiritually). She seems to be afflicted by suffering, sometimes embodying it to the very core and, yet, does not lose hope in destiny's justice. But she is no Isaura (though parallels can be drawn). In her problems, she does not go to the garden to think but she gives us an insight into her spiritual life and prays, even for her persecutors... That is a very important difference because her character is made far more spiritual and identifiable. More to say, lovable. Katerina Kovalchuk does a wonderful job in the role. She combines innocence with decisiveness and gentleness with appeal. There were many actresses who were cast for the role, including Anna Sagaydachnaya (Natalie from the series) but I think that Ms Kovalchuk was the right choice. A lot of people will probably agree with me, though, it does not mean that other actresses would not have been good at this role. Yet, Ms Kovalchuk has something special.

Yes, our heroine goes through incredibly hard things, terrible things that life can offer a human and she hits the tone of emotional bond with the viewers very well. It is true that you watch it and you empathize with her. But, our attention is not only on the protagonist but others who also do terrific jobs and play important roles in her life. Mainly, Michail Gavrilov, a villain, Grigorij Cervinsky madly in love with Katerina. Being in all the episodes of the series, we see his change for the worse and a haunting way towards addiction and madness. A mention must be made of Anna Sagaydachnaya in the role of good-hearted Natalie, wife of Grigorij's. Alexey Yarovenko is brilliant as the love of her life, the love that could not be fulfilled... Stanislav Boklan and Yuliya Aug give strong performances as the landlords of Cervinsky's mansion. Ms Aug, already famous for her brilliant roles including empress Elisabeth Petrovna in CATHERINE, is worth attention as Katerina's godmother Anna Lvovna Cervinskaya. She portrays a rather positive character whom we come to like later... There is also her daughter Polina Aug who plays young Anna Lvovna in the flashback scenes. The scenes of the emotional tensions between father, Peter Chervinsky and son Grigorij are unforgettable. Mind you the episode with the wedding... One of the backstories which should not be skipped here is the relation between masters and peasants. They were different: some very bad which gave bases for later riots and revolution (historically), some were better. Ksenija Miszyna portrays a villainous lady Lidia Scheffer who treats her subjects as slaves, things and offers our protagonist many sufferings. But do not take everything too seriously...

(I heard in one interview with the actress that people felt the story so intensely that they really believed she (Ksenija not Lidia) did bad things to Katerina and the actress was judged by the viewers...yeah, some people do not see the borderline between fiction and reality. It is a sad fact because it sheds a shadow upon the reputation of its viewers. Shame! That is obviously not what the series is mean to be.

All the people in the series do their best and it is too short for on review to mention all. Simply, as a viewer you feel you are in another period of time thanks to them. Nazar, a blacksmith, Halka, a servant girl with her change of heart, Nikolaj, Natalie's brother so indefatigable to defend Alexey's honor, Pavlina, a lovable cook, Elena and the humble senator (a wonderful character in season 2) and many many others. Very good performances!

The costumes are another great merit of the series. They are wonderful and go perfectly well with the interiors and exteriors. You see a convincing 'fashion display' of the period. What palaces and gardens! Some scenes were shot in the town of Niezyn in Ukraine. Supposedly, a lot of fans of the series will like to visit the place and deservedly so.

There are a lot of good things that could be said about the series but, we think (my wife and I) that its crucial aspect that a sensitive viewer will never forget is not the power of mind nor the power of will that it attempts to grasp but the power of heart. In spite of cruelty, religious fanatism, injustices, treason, disappointment, despair, wretchedness, masochism that one may experience, all those demons are not able to deprive a good person of a good heart. This is a very clear message of the series and for that matter, a true credit to all the people who took part in this memorable production. Not merely Ukrainian version of ISAURA but an involving, captivating series.

Hopefully, the series will be an equal success internationally as it was in Poland once it has been released. Look for it, really worth attention.

Thank you for reading.