Loosely translated with Google Chrome from a March 2014 Andy Warhol’s Interview article.
Interview, March 28, 2014 at 15:50
The youngest and most brilliant principal of London’s Royal Ballet traded the western troupe for the stage of the Musical Theater of Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko. But, according to Interview, could any day set sail for Hollywood. Mickey Rourke invited him. Personally.
The 24-year-old ballet dancer Sergei Polunin and 61-year-old American actor Mickey Rourke have not met in person, but have talked on the phone several times. Rourke was impressed with the talented Polunin after seeing a film of him dancing. For the first time, they “met” for this conversation for Interview. However, via Skype.
Rourke: Do you remember how we met? I think it was in London under the bridge. Joke. Actually, my agent met one of your acquaintances, and then showed me a tape with your performance. I was shocked, “fucking guy, you have to call him!” Of all the boxers and actors I’ve met in 30 years, this guy is a must. And anyway, I have always been a big fan Rudolf Nureyev. Although once nearly kicked his ass. ( Laughs. )
POLUNIN: He is my idol.
Rourke: Oh, my idols are all gone…
POLUNIN: You know, when I was told that Mickey Rourke would call my birthday, I did not believe it. But you called. However, three days late, and for some reason, at three o’clock in the morning. But I was waiting for it!
Rourke: Are you saying I was late?
POLUNIN: Like I said, for three days. At this time I was in Kherson filming a documentary about me, and I could not concentrate – afraid to move away from the phone.
Rourke: It seems I was informed late. I was not sure about the time. In any case, happy birthday again! Where are you now?
POLUNIN: Moscow.
Rourke: I thought you were in London. Come on, show me, what’s going on outside?
POLUNIN: Okay. Can you see?
Rourke: Snow! Cool! You live on the third floor?
POLUNIN: On the second. The apartment is tiny, but next to the theater.
Rourke: And did you get that? ( Stares at the screen. ) The new tattoo?
POLUNIN: Well, yes. ( Displays. )
Rourke: I’ve got one!
POLUNIN: What is it?
Rourke: It’s Russian character that boxer Ruslan Provodnikov puts on before the fight. You’ve heard of Ruslana? He is a true beast. What’s that behind your tattoo?
POLUNIN: That is my director.
Rourke: Wow. Good director?
POLUNIN: It earns me money. ( Laughs.)
Rourke: And then what is that man?
POLUNIN: Joker.
Rourke: And on your side?
POLUNIN: Yes, I’ve got a whole bunch. Even a church.
Rourke: Oh, and the old woman with a scythe. Not bad. I also have a church on the back. More precisely, Jesus.
POLUNIN: By the way, Mickey, you look great. I lost weight.
Rourke: Yeah, I deliberately pasted your picture on the fridge and every day look at your muscular legs. It helps. What time is it in Moscow?
POLUNIN: Nine in the morning. Amazingly, I woke up so early.
Rourke: Now you have to follow my example and to hide lack of sleep under a ton of makeup. ( Laughs.) When are you on stage?
POLUNIN: Three days. Just returned from China, danced for the government. Six thousand people, 600 security guards.
Rourke: Class! ( On the screen appear Mickey dog .) By the way, meet this Tango. The second one’s name is Mouse. How long have you been living in this apartment?
POLUNIN: About three months. I change accommodations every six months.
Rourke: Where are you hiding the girl? Under the bed?
POLUNIN: Yes, I don’t have much of a reputation, so it is difficult with the girls.
Rourke: I’ve heard. I’m sorry, but I can not advise anything. I’m afraid you’ll end up like me, a lonely dog breeder with a bunch of pets.
POLUNIN: I do not mind. Although, when I was ten years old, my mother constantly held you up to me as a bad example, “Sergei, do not do such things, you will grow up and become like Mickey Rourke.”
Rourke: Ha! I read about your relationship with her mother. Do you communicate with her now?
POLUNIN: Gradually. So, when she showed you as an example, I thought, “What? He is cool! I want to be like him.”
Rourke: I’ll give you advice. Communicate with your mother, she is not giving bad advice. What are your plans? Now Moscow, and then London? When are you going to do the States?
POLUNIN: After a week eating in Siberia, Mickey, being with you there, by the way, is very welcome.
Rourke: You know what? I have a role in the film for you. If you agree, we begin to shoot it in September. Work for one day, but a great role. This is a film about a Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas. Gay.
POLUNIN: I read about it.
Rourke: Cool! So there is a great episode – as if specially for you. My hero (I play him) gets off the bike in the gay quarter of London, at which time a man passes by with an awesome body, from head to toe in leather, fur boots and a German shepherd on a leash. He looks at my hero and asks, “Got a light there?” I answer, “No”. The guy, Andrew, tries to strike up a conversation. And I say to him. “You are very cute, but I’m sorry, not to my taste”. ( Laughs. ) The dog starts to growl, and Andrew says something to her in Russian. After this role, in Russia you will become a real star.
POLUNIN: No doubt.
Rourke: It is important. I try to invite as many good actors. I watched the movie “Rust and Bone”? Look. And “Bychara”. Starred Belgian actor Matthias Schoenaerts. Mega actor. I, too, will play. Anyway, I hope so.
POLUNIN: I see. Mickey, and you believe in horoscopes? I just read in one, that in September I will have a chance to try myself in a new field.
Rourke: You bet! Consider the role yours already, even the casting is not necessary to pass.
POLUNIN: And for it I should?
Rourke: Nothing.
POLUNIN: Free ballet lesson, maybe?
Rourke: It will be a nightmare. Better let’s go to the disco. It’s still called that? I’m in LA. I do not go anywhere. Here, people are boring, after midnight in the bar.
POLUNIN: Other business – Moscow, huh?
Rourke: Yes, I was in an excellent Moscow club “Diaghilev” it was called. I’ll hold back the glory. Details when we meet. ( Laughs.) Do you smoke?
POLUNIN: Drink only.
Rourke: I drink. I prefer protein shakes. With vodka.
POLUNIN: I used vodka.
Rourke: Do you have to hide your true colors?
POLUNIN: Only with the wrong people.
Rourke: I recently spoke with a psychoanalyst, and he said, “Look, in this town all built on envy. People are happy when you ascend and with the same joy see you overthrown and trampled.” That is why I’ve not taken to responding to explicit questions. ( Polunin laughs. ) And what of it? It is important to know the truth too can bite you in the ass. From this you can not hide. Although I sometimes hide behind my dogs. But, hell, it’s all too serious, let’s talk about something pleasant. I heard you have crazy dance partner – Marlon Dino.
POLUNIN: It is because of him that I have this joker. He thought of himself as a kind of joker.
Rourke: You still friends with him?
POLUNIN: Yes. I do not know how to explain it.
Rourke: Do not worry, you have another 30 years ahead to continue to be given up on by loved ones. Because only the closest can you really disappoint. As soon as you find yourself kicked in the ass, they vanish.
POLUNIN: And how do you know who to trust?
Rourke: Nothing. No one can know. But if you learn this lesson, you will be on the right track. If you’re also a strong man, you will continue to move forward. When someone tries to reshape you – down the drain with them.
POLUNIN: My next tattoo will be the name of Mickey.
Rourke: Oh no!
POLUNIN: What? Once upon a time I doubted. Now doubts have disappeared. Or «Mickey», or «Rourke» on a finger.
Rourke: What’s a tattoo to you?
POLUNIN: A strange thing happened to me just a couple of months ago. Mystic somehow. Let’s say, when I did the tattoo joker, began a crazy time in my life. Made tattoo of my director – and everything was stable. When I got Mad House on my back, started again same game. On my back is the inscription “I’m sorry, tiger.” I lost the girl I called the cub. So I made a tattoo to get her back.
Rourke: Never forever be engraved next to the name of the girl, as I did. A long time to get rid of it. ( Polunin laughs. ) I had just cut a piece of skin. ( Rourke turns to the dog, sitting on his hands. ) Kiss Daddy! Do not want? Only after shopping? Oh, it flows Russian blood! ( Laughs .) Russian blood from Beverly Hills.
POLUNIN: Moscow girls too often powder brains.
Rourke: Yeah, heard. Hey, is there something you’re eating, or what?
POLUNIN: No, it’s just a lip balm.
Rourke: Gotcha. When you’re in LA, you can stay with me. On the second floor. I’ll feed you normal food.
POLUNIN: Thank you, Mickey!
Rourke: To your health! Still, I would take you up on a couple of ballet lessons. I want just once to jump really high.