Mikey Madison may be the heart of the screwball Cinderella story "Anora," but it's her Russian co-stars, Mark Eydelshteyn and Yura Borisov, who have captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike. The two young actors, who play the boisterous Ivan and the stoic fixer Igor, respectively, have forged an unbreakable bond that has transcended the screen, becoming the stuff of Hollywood legend.

Discovering America and Each Other on the Set of "Anora"

A Serendipitous Meeting and an Instant Friendship

Mark Eydelshteyn and Yura Borisov first crossed paths at the Berlin Film Festival in 2022, where they were both in attendance to promote their respective projects. Little did they know that this chance encounter would lead to a lifelong friendship and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate on one of the most anticipated films of the year.As they began filming "Anora" in early 2022, the two actors quickly became inseparable, sharing an apartment in Brooklyn's Brighton Beach neighborhood and exploring the wonders of New York City together. "Every day I'd get up and yell, 'Markos! How are you? Good morning!'" Borisov recalls with a smile, reflecting on the camaraderie that blossomed between them.

Discovering America Through the Lens of "Anora"

For Eydelshteyn and Borisov, the experience of filming "Anora" in New York City was a revelation. "It was interesting to be in America, like, 'Wow! It used to only be in video games and cartoons, and now it's reality,'" Borisov marvels, his eyes alight with wonder. The two actors immersed themselves in the city's rich cultural tapestry, visiting museums, vintage stores, and even venturing out to the picturesque town of Woodstock for a weekend getaway."I can't imagine going on this whole amazing adventure without this guy," Eydelshteyn says, his voice brimming with gratitude. "My whole life, I dreamed about having an older brother. Now I have him."

Bringing Their Characters to Life with Authenticity and Nuance

While their off-screen bond was undeniable, Eydelshteyn and Borisov brought the same level of dedication and passion to their respective roles in "Anora." Director Sean Baker was immediately impressed by Borisov's "incredibly subtle performance" as the shy and soulful Igor, and the young actor found "a lot of space to explore" within the character.Eydelshteyn, on the other hand, delivered a standout performance as the wild and endearing Ivan, a role that required him to tap into his own experiences with stress and loneliness. "He's trying to save the kid inside himself, but he can't," Eydelshteyn explains, his words imbued with empathy and insight.The two actors' chemistry and commitment to their craft were evident in the film's most intense scenes, particularly the raucous fight sequence that saw Ani (played by Mikey Madison) literally biting back against Ivan's family's attempts to force her to annul their marriage. "We really had to fight, which was very funny," Borisov recalls, his face lighting up with a mischievous grin. "I got punched by Mikey and I liked it."

A Shared Journey of Success and Celebration

As "Anora" has garnered critical acclaim and awards season buzz, Eydelshteyn and Borisov have found themselves on a shared journey of success and celebration. The news of the film's Palme d'Or win at the Cannes Film Festival was a particularly surreal and joyous moment for the two actors."Yura called me and said, 'Hey, man, we won the Palme d'Or,'" Eydelshteyn recalls, his voice brimming with excitement. "I just started to run and scream around the hospital. People looked at me like I was crazy, like I'm not an actor but a real mental illness patient. It was really funny. I thought, 'For this surreal and hilarious moment, I feel like my real life is a movie.'"For Borisov and Eydelshteyn, the success of "Anora" has opened up a world of new opportunities, and they are eager to continue their journey together. "We just love our life," Borisov says, his eyes shining with a sense of wonder and gratitude. "We hope the movie will lead to more work and more opportunities" in America and beyond.As the two actors bask in the glow of their newfound fame and the unbreakable bond they've forged, it's clear that their story is one of serendipity, camaraderie, and the power of authentic human connection – a testament to the magic that can happen when the right people come together at the right time.