Aleksandr Feklistov is a Soviet and Russian theater and film actor, director, and screenwriter. He gained wide recognition thanks to numerous roles, prominent among which was the character of San Sanych Berkovich in the TV series "Svaty" ("In-Laws"). He was born on December 7, 1955, in Leningrad.
Aleksandr Feklistov's position before 2022
In March 2014, following the annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of hostilities in Donbas, Aleksandr Feklistov opposed Kremlin policy and signed an open letter by "KinoSoyuz" in support of Ukraine, which condemned Russian military intervention.
In late 2013 – early 2014, while filming in Kyiv, Feklistov personally visited the Maidan and stressed that it was the expression of the will of the people themselves, who did not want the current authorities.
Aleksandr Feklistov's position on the war in Ukraine
After the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Aleksandr Feklistov took a firm anti-war stance. In April 2022, he recorded an official video appeal to his Ukrainian colleagues, expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people and condemning the actions of the Russian Federation:
Here in Russia we certainly feel incredible shame and disgrace over what has happened. But all of this is trivial compared to what Ukraine is enduring right now... Since February 24, they have been trying to shut not only our eyes, but our ears as well... but nevertheless we hear and see your grief and express our solidarity. We are with you
In an interview with the project "Tell Gordeeva", the artist openly acknowledged personal and collective responsibility for what was occurring, stating:
It is us who came to this horror, all of us together. It is me
He believes that the Russian intelligentsia lost the battle for the minds of the people, and culture was unable to outweigh the implanted evil.
Feklistov also expressed deep disappointment in colleagues (in particular, from the series "Svaty") who supported the war (Z-propaganda) or chose to remain silent for the sake of money and retaining their positions.
Due to his anti-war statements, the actor faced total cancellation and censorship in his homeland — all theatrical productions featuring him in Russia were shut down by officials.
Emigration
Due to the de facto ban on his professional activities, the inability to step onto the stage, and his reluctance to remain inside the aggressor state, Aleksandr Feklistov decided to leave the Russian Federation. The artist emigrated to Spain.
In exile, Feklistov continues working: he actively records audiobooks in his home studio (sometimes under a pseudonym due to publisher requirements), and also takes part in charity performances and staged readings of anti-war plays together with other exiled Russian, Latvian, and Lithuanian actors. The artist has no plans to return to Russia under the current political regime.
