By: Bella Fitzpatrick 

Arina, Can you share a bit about more about what sparked your passion for creative direction and filmmaking?

“I have always had a very vivid imagination and could clearly see made-up movies in my head. This helped me understand that my path was to become a filmmaker. And of course, I am inspired by other films or creative advertising, which are impressive and give me the desire to work in the creative field.”

As a Creative Director and Film Director, how would you describe your creative vision? What themes or elements do you find yourself consistently drawn to in your work?

“I think all art is built on beauty and pain. These two things attract me and give me the opportunity to continue creating. I really love beautiful models, actors, and mysterious and attractive characters. But I find them boring to watch if there is no drama, sorrow, or internal conflict that puts external beauty in conflict.”

Who or what are your main sources of inspiration and influence in the creative realm? Are there particular artists, films, or movements that have left a lasting impact on your approach?

“My basis was Russian classical literature, Dostoevsky, Gorky, and Goncharov. The characters in the books gave me the opportunity to understand the depth and drama of the world. Then, I was immersed in the work of film directors such as Tarkovsky, Filinni, and Almodóvar. The contrasting styles of these directors expanded my worldview about filmmaking. And, of course, Martin Scarce and Woody Allen became the idols of my life.”

Among the various projects you’ve worked on, is there one that holds a special place in your heart or memory? What made it particularly memorable or challenging, and how did it contribute to your growth as a director?

“My latest project, ‘Inside Me-YOU,’ has a special place in my heart. I put all my love, strength, and, of course, money into it. I was so in love with this project that I didn’t feel sorry for anything for its sake. In this film, the story tells us about a girl who does not know how to control her aggression due to psychological disorders from childhood. At the very beginning of the film, she learns that her father has been released early from prison, and now the heroine is dominated by a feeling of revenge.”

In your role as a Creative Director, how do you balance your creative instincts with the responsibilities of leadership?

“When I work as a creative director, I try to focus only on the creative part, ignoring everything else. Because to get what you want, you need to concentrate on only one thing. I turn on my leadership abilities only when problems occur on the set or when decisions on organizational issues depend on me.”

Every creative journey involves challenges. Can you share a significant challenge you faced in your career and how you overcame it? What did you learn from that experience?

“I think the main difficulty is finding sponsorship and presenting your idea in the best light. This takes a lot of time and does not always turn out well.”

For aspiring directors looking to make their mark in the creative field, what advice would you offer? Are there key lessons or insights from your own journey that you find crucial to share?

“First of all, don’t listen to anyone; if you are confident in your abilities, keep going no matter what. And you have to work a lot on self-development. Constantly look for interesting information, learn new things, immerse yourself in different types of art as much as possible and spend as much time as possible with creative people.”

How has your journey in creative direction and filmmaking contributed to your personal growth and understanding of the world?

“It seems to me that I began to look at many things more realistically. I saw so many stories on screen that they gave me the foundation of the world. Working as a creative director itself made me understand that it is very important to constantly be inspired by something new.”

What creative endeavors are on the horizon for you, and what do you hope to achieve with them?

“I am now planning to open my own commercial advertising company and want to bring a new vision of advertising to this world.”

How can we learn more about your work?

“My website is arinarozova.com. You can find all the information about me, my portfolio, and contact details there.”