B.Ariunkhishig: I dream of playing Maureen Folan

Mongolian up-and-coming actors M.Tuguldur and B.Ariunkhishig played in a new film by Art Doydu Film Company of Republic of Sakha, Russia. Recently, a trailer for the film “Khaar Kynat”, literally translated as “Legends of Olonkho Land”, was released. The following interview will explore the mind and dreams of talented actress B.Ariunkhishig, who played the main role in the Yakutian film.

What made you love acting?

I graduated from School No. 14 of Ulaanbaatar. As my parents recommended, I went to a drama club at the Children’s Palace since I was four years old. I guess my parents saw some talent in me. I went to City University after I graduated high school. After a year, I had a chance to go to Russia and study there, so I took it.

Is it true that Victor Miroshnichenko, the famous acting teacher from Kemorovo State University of Culture and Arts, came to Mongolia to take your entrance exam?

My teacher is merited actor of Russia. He is a man with godly nature. He is a very humble man, yet he is extremely talented. When I took an exam with people who just graduated high school and students from the Mongolian Film Institute and Mongolian University of Arts and Culture. As I passed the entrance exam, I received scholarship from the Russian government, which helped me to study there for four years.

Do you have family members from the art sector? How did your parents react when you said you are going to Russia to study?

I couldn’t even believe it myself. I wanted to share my happy news first with my mother. My mother was happier than me to hear the news. Then I told my father. He was very happy too and called my relatives to brag about me. I think he was very proud of his daughter at the time. My grandfather is a musician and he is the only artist from my family. My family supports me and my profession by all means and they believe in me so much. My mother encourages me, saying, “My daughter, you can do it,” when I get discouraged or disappointed.

Dreaming about becoming an actor is one thing, and I guess really becoming one and working as one and sharing the joy and sorrow of actors is another thing. How was it when you went to Russia at first?

It was different than I imagined. Acting methods and system of studying was different. However, I felt like I'm at the place that I always wished to be at. Besides having skilled teachers and talented classmates, the atmosphere there is delightful. The theater atmosphere I dream of was there.

Firstly, I had language barrier and it was hard. Sometimes I even wanted to go home. But as a result of my hard work, I gained some courage and started “blazing” from inside. I used to receive energy from my classmates and teachers.

When did you get obsessed with your profession?

I got obsessed with acting when I was a student. I love to work on my roles that matches me and I loved hearing, “Good job, you are nailing it,” from directors. I guess every actor fall sin love with those words.

You worked at U Stage Theater for a while, right?

After I graduated school, I came to Mongolia and met actress, producer G.Undarmaa. I had just graduated and came when G.Undarmaa was planning to establish a new theater. It was quite a good timing for me. I played in Olzhas Zhanaydarov’s “Soul of a Pillow” and Mikhail Sholokhov’s “And Quiet Flows the Don” when I was at U Stage Theater.

I guess there are a lot of differences in terms of work culture between Russia and Mongolia.

Of course, there is a difference. Especially in methods of working. In Russia, before the shooting starts, actors do rehearsals with cameras and read scripts together. I’m talking about a lot of rehearsals. Filmmakers give a lot of time for actors to prepare themselves. It has a lot of benefits. On the other hand, Mongolian filmmakers are likely to rush to almost immediately go for shooting. Of course, there are some directors who plan very well before shooting.

“And Quiet Flows the Don” introduced you to Mongolian audiences. Tell us about it.

I see it as a big chance given to M.Tulguldur and I. We didn’t want to lose that chance. We trained and rehearsed a lot for it. Also, it challenged us in a lot of ways.

Did you perform it before for the Russian audience?

Indeed, we did. My teacher Victor Miroshnichenko directed the play. We played it for the Russian audience when we were students. We played it in Mongolia in the winter of 2019 and restaged it in spring.

I saw you on Durlasan TV show and “Single Ladies 4” by U Film. Do you often receive offers for films?

I receive offers sometimes, but not often.

Do you do auditions?

Yes, I do. I find auditions for myself and sometimes directors tell me to do auditions for their films. I want to challenge myself as much as possible.

Have you ever failed in auditions? How does it feel to know that filmmakers didn’t choose you and how does it feel to wait for the result?

Of course, it doesn’t feel good. It’s not nice to know someone else is chosen for the role I auditioned for. I experienced that. I encourage myself to work harder when something like that happens to me. Directors and producers say they will get back to me and they go silent. I almost couldn’t sleep at those times.

You performed in “Khaar Kynat” by Art Doydu Film Company of Republic of Sakha, Russia. What was it like performing in a historical film? Did you grow up close to Mongolian traditions?

I used to go to the countryside to my grandparents every summer. I learned to ride a horse when I was little. It became an advantage to me to play in a historic film. It was hard for us to shoot in Yakutia, because it was so cold there. But it is just something that artists should overcome. I learned that that kind of films require a lot of skills, experience and patience from actors. I recently received an offer from similar films. I didn’t decide it yet. I love drama films. I wish to act in films that can touch people’s hearts rather than films that barely explore a concept.

Do you have a favorite director that you would like to work with? What roles do you want to play next?

Of course, I have. I would like to work with S.Byamba, J.Sengedorj, A.Miyegombo, B.Tamir, D.Byamba-Suren, L.Bat-Amgalan and many other directors. But I would love to “meet” the audience through stage plays rather than films. I watched “Faust” by director M.Batbold, and I sort of envied the young actors who played in it. And I was proud of them at the same time. I love “Aksinia” of “And Quiet Flows the Don”. I also would like to be part of “Macbeth” and other Shakespeare’s plays. I watched “The Beauty Queen of Leenane”, written by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh, five times when I was in Russia. I dream of playing Maureen Folan in the play.

Will you study again?

I’m not planning to study for now. I want to gather some experiences by acting in films and plays.

I think actors need a bit of luck to succeed. Some of them start their career when they are students and others take longer to succeed. Are you a lucky person?

I’m lucky, indeed. I’m extremely lucky. I was named as best student of my school and went to an event in Crimea. At the time, producer Anton Pronin proposed to work with me in Russia. Unfortunately, I postponed it since I wasn’t able to live there for long. I competed in several international festivals. I also played in international films.

What are your future plans?

To become a good artist, one should educate and train themselves very well. I’m currently focusing on that. I have a lot of things to read and study. We will work on “And Quiet Flows the Don” to restage it in Mongolian language.