Writer-director Nastasya Popov‘s feature debut is a hilariously heartfelt reminder that immigrants make America (and cinema) great.
In the earnest comedy-drama Idiotka, Anna Baryshnikov plays Margarita Levlansky, a young budding fashion designer living with her grandmother, father and brother in a tiny apartment in West Hollywood, “not the fancy part, the Russian part.”
With her family five months behind on rent, Margarita lands a spot on Slay, Serve, Survive, a new fashion competition series whose producer Nicol (Camila Mendes) takes a shine to her adversity and potential screen presence. But the role requires her to open her life up to the world, baring all her family’s struggle for a shot at the American Dream.
The clever comedy-drama spotlights Russian-American life in LA’s gay capital for Ukrainian jews who “weren’t considered real Russians or real Jews.” It’s a particularly relevant piece of representation amid the ongoing strife with Russia, as well as the U.S.’s current hostility toward immigrants.
Margarita’s family is beautifully cast, with Galina Jovovich as Margarita’s fabulous grandmother Gita, who taught her to sew and continues to inspire her everyday. Jovovich adds a fierce heartfelt familiarity to the role that will have audiences weeping — especially once they realize the film is dedicated to Popov’s grandmother.
Mark Ivanir plays Margarita’s father Samuel, a disgraced doctor who was sent to prison and had his license revoked after trying to help those struggling with pain. Whereas Gita isn’t afraid of the camera and is willing to put their struggle out there for the world to see, Samuel is embarrassed by what he’s done and is much more resistant to the spotlight than his family.
Meanwhile, Nerses Stamos fills out the Levlansky brood as Margarita’s brother Nerses, who works multiple jobs while working toward his own American Dream of becoming a musician. There’s a unique sense of support between Nerses and Margarita that perfectly rounds out this unique family.
If the Levlansky family represents the deconstruction of the American Dream for a generation that’s become accustomed to making things happen, Slay, Serve, Survive evokes the disillusionment of reality TV as a sensationalized cash-grab that lacks reality and exploits mental illness.
Mendes illustrates that point with some much-needed nuance, playing a reality TV producer who knows how to get the shot she needs but also knows when to show up for her new friend, as well as when to show tough love.
The comedic heartbeat of the film is maintained by Julia Fox, Saweetie and Benito Skinner, who play the show-within-a-film’s judges panel. Fox is a brilliant comedic talent, playing into her own public persona in a hilarious tongue-in-cheek way. Saweetie proves her comedic chops as well, while Skinner brings his signature self-aware wit.
Popov’s directorial debut captures a beautifully messy portrait of a new generation of immigrants, turning generations of pain and trauma into something beautiful while changing the narrative in a country that still lets you do that. And as Margarita comes to learn on her fashionable journey, the best way to make it is to be your own muse.
Title: Idiotka
Festival: SXSW (Narrative Spotlight)
Sales Agent: CAA
Director-screenwriter: Nastasya Popov
Cast: Anna Baryshnikov, Camila Mendes, Julia Fox, Benito Skinner, Saweetie, Owen Thiele, Galina Jovovich, Mark Ivanir, Nerses Stamos, Ilia Volok
Running time: 1 hr 22 min
