The French Guy (Russian: Француз, romanized: Frantsuz) is a 2004 Russian romantic comedy television film directed by Vera Storozheva. The film was made for TVS, which was shut down by the Russian government in June 2003. Consequently, the film was purchased by Channel One, where it premiered on 7 January 2004.
Contents
Plot
French baron Paul de Rousseau (Thierry Monfray) corresponds with Irina, a young woman from Russia (Ekaterina Vulichenko), whom his valet, Guillaume (Bernard Passavi), found through a marriage agency. During a chance encounter with translator Anya (Maria Golubkina), Paul discovers that the letters he received from "Irina" were actually written by Anya herself. Anya, a graduate of Moscow State University, returned to her hometown, Glukhaya Potma, after finishing her studies. Paul falls deeply in love with Anya and sets out to win her heart. His adventures in Russia transform him: once a wealthy nobleman, he’s quickly reduced to homelessness by train thieves. Along the way, he learns to drink vodka on a dare, receives a gift of a Christmas tree (which an elderly woman later takes back), and ultimately finds the love of his life. After winning Anya's affection and outcompeting her fiancé (Garik Sukachev), Paul takes her and his newfound Russian friends back to Paris.
Cast
Thierry Monfray as Paul
Maria Golubkina as Anya
Mikhail Efremov as Karpienko
Stanislav Duzhnikov as Tolik
Dmitry Orlov as policeman
Sergei Popov as Anya's father
Irina Rakhmanova as рassenger
Pavel Derevyanko as рassenger
Nina Ruslanova as Anya's mother
Garik Sukachov as Leonid
Zoya Tolbuzina as Manya
Inga Strelkova-Oboldina as Tamara