This article is about the Soviet film. For the album by Twice, see Formula of Love: O+T=＜3.
Formula of Love
(Формула любви)
DirectorMark Zakharov
ProducerAleksandra Demidova
WriterGrigori Gorin (screenplay)
Aleksey Tolstoy (story)
StarringNodar Mgaloblishvili
Aleksandr Abdulov
Semyon Farada
Tatyana Pelttser
MusicGennady Gladkov (score)
Yuli Kim (lyrics)
Yuri Rabinovich (sound)[1]
CinematographyVladimir Nakhabtsev
EditingValentina Kulagina (ed.)
Viktor Yushin (production design)
DistributorMosfilm
T/O Ekran
ReleasedDecember 30, 1984
Runtime90 minutes
CountrySoviet Union
LanguageRussian

Formula of Love (Russian: Формула любви) is a 1984 Soviet romantic fantasy comedy film directed by Mark Zakharov, from a screenplay by Grigori Gorin. It is loosely based on the story "Count Cagliostro" by Aleksey Tolstoy.

Plot

In 1780, after a short fraudulent tour in St. Petersburg, the famous adventurer, "magician" and "master of secret forces" Count Cagliostro was forced to hide from the chase sent by the almighty Prince Potemkin. At the same time, Cagliostro is trying to find the "formula" for the only feeling that he is still unable to evoke in human hearts — love.

A young landowner Alexey Fedyashev lives in the Russian countryside near Smolensk. He cannot find a chosen one and secretly dreams of an unattainable ideal. Alexey is in love with the statue standing in the garden park, and dreams of reviving it — "as the Greek gods once breathed life into the stone Galatea." Having accidentally learned that Cagliostro is located near his estate, Alexey finds the count and asks for help.

The visit of foreign guests causes a stir in the quiet estate.

Cast

Filming

Grigory Gorin saw Oleg Yankovsky in the role of Cagliostro, but the artist refused — he did not want to get involved with mysticism. "Praskovya Tulupova" is a marble copy of the statue "Odalisque (Sulamitide)" by the Italian sculptor Pasquale Romanelli.[2]

The film was shot in the Moscow region, Stupinsky District and Domodedovsky District.[3][4] According to Yelena Valyushkina, "It was a wonderful, fun time."[5]

The film crew presented the announcement of the new film in the New Year's edition of Kinopanorama in 1984.[6]

Soundtrack

Формула любви (музыка из кинофильма)
soundtrack
ArtistVA
Released2018
LabelApple Music

Legacy

"Formula of Love" is spoken of as one of the Soviet "quote films". In particular, the "Neapolitan Song" became very popular.[7] The music and words of this pseudo-Italian aria were composed by Gennady Gladkov.[8] According to Alexander Abdulov, he received letters asking him to send notes and lyrics of this "abracadabra", including from some military units.[9]

Awards

  • 1985 — Prize for Best Director to Mark Zakharov at the XI WCF of Television Films in Moscow

References

  1. ^ Интервью Юлия Кима
  2. ^ "Невероятные приключения итальянской статуи в России | The Art Newspaper Russia — новости искусства". Archived 2022-08-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-08-28. In Russian
  3. ^ Larina T. (2009-11-17). "Авдотьино и Н. И. Новиков". Аксиньинское сельское поселение. Archived 2014-10-30 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-01-02. In Russian
  4. ^ "Ляхово и «Формула любви»". Фото Чёрной Мили. 2011. Archived 2011-08-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-01-02. In Russian
  5. ^ "Галина Касьяникова: «Елена Валюшкина отказывала кинорежиссёрам» // gazeta.aif.ru (13 марта 2001 года)". Archived 2008-02-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2009-05-25. In Russian
  6. ^ "Новогодняя Кинопанорама 1984 год". Archived 2014-11-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-11-01. In Russian
  7. ^ "Пародия на Сан-Ремо". YouTube. 1986. Archived 2013-11-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-01-02. In Russian
  8. ^ "Интервью Юлия Кима". Archived 2018-10-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-21. In Russian
  9. ^ TV film "Геннадий Гладков", 1989. In Russian