Oleksiy Hnatkovskyy

Oleksiy Hnatkovsky

Hnatkovsky Oleksiy Ivanovych

Date of birth – November 9, 1985

City – Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine)

Activity – director, actor

Becoming an artist

Oleksiy Hnatkovsky is a Ukrainian director, theater and film actor, holder of the title of Honored and People's Artist of Ukraine. The first specialty that the future star of the stage chose for himself was political science. In 2008, Oleksiy graduated from the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University. And while studying, the political scientist by education revealed his acting talent. And in 2004, the student was hired to work at the theater – in the ballet and supporting cast. Oleksiy himself said self-critically that his task was to «smile on stage». But gradually the directors' trust grew stronger and the young artist began to receive his first roles. And after graduating from the Institute of Arts of the Vasyl Stefanyk PNU, Oleksiy Hnatkovsky was officially invited to the Ivano-Frankivsk National Academic Drama Theater named after Ivan Franko.

The actor's desire for creativity was developed by authoritative teachers, among whom Oleksiy singles out Rostyslav Derzhipil'sky (director and head of the I. Franko Drama Theater, known for innovative directing), Natalka Polovinka (actress, singer and teacher), Olesya Sanina (actor, cameraman, film director). These are the names of masters who taught the future artist to value education and culture. After all, according to Oleksiy Hnatkovsky, the statement is true: «Talent is only five percent of success. The rest is achieved through hard work.» And charisma, style, the ability to hold yourself in front of an audience, cooperation with other members of the team and other virtues will not lead to widespread recognition without hard work.

Alexey Gnatkovsky admits that sometimes nuggets manage to pave the way to the hearts of fans and realize themselves without education. However, these are isolated cases. And it is not worth taking an example from them. Alexey consciously chose an acting career, although he still sometimes asks himself whether he did the right thing. After all, acting is a great responsibility and sacrifice, a willingness to play a role and complete the performance under any circumstances.

Creative path

Since 2008, Alexey Gnatkovsky has been an actor at the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater. Each appearance of the artist on stage is a storm of emotions in the audience. And although the star of modern Ukrainian theater chose a dramatic genre for himself, his ability to transform and reveal different images is undeniable. And the audience's ovation at performances with the artist's participation can be compared in strength with the reaction of fans during a concert of his favorite band at a music festival. But real all-Ukrainian popularity came to the leading actor of the Frankivsk theater thanks to his first work in cinema.

Wide recognition was brought to Oleksiy Hnatkovsky by the role of the brother of the opryshki leader - Ivan - in the historical film directed by Oles Sanin «Dovbush». Ivan's iconic phrase «These are my mountains. I am the landlord here!» received the status of a winged one even before the film was released. One of the incredibly popular performances with the participation of Oleksiy Hnatkovsky is the work «How to Raise a Man at Home», where Honored Artist of Ukraine Irma Vitovska plays. Hnatkovsky was also involved in the filming of the new season of the TV series «Coffee with Cardamom» and in the film «How Ukrainians Spoke Ukrainian» as a narrator. Hnatkovsky’s directorial debut took place in 2017 with the production of «All Quiet on the Western Front» based on the famous novel by Remarque.

Social activity

The actor combines the theater stage and filming in the cinema with various social projects. Today, this is mainly volunteer work aimed at supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Together with his wife Olga, Oleksiy founded the Ukraine-foundation.org charity fund, the purpose of which is to provide comprehensive assistance to our defenders, as well as internally displaced persons. The actor attaches great importance to communicating with young people: he holds meetings with active representatives of the new generation of Ukrainians, supports creative initiatives. Charity performances take place abroad. For example, a tour of the play «How to Raise a Man at Home» was held in Canada. The creative team brought with them special lots, the proceeds from which were sent to charity.

Awards and distinctions:

Vitaly Smolyak Prize in the field of theatrical art for the best directorial work (drama «On the Western Front without Changes») - 2019;
Prize of the All-Ukrainian Theater Festival-Award «GRA» for the best exploratory and experimental performance (William Shakespeare's comedy «12th Night, or What Do You Want» in a modern adaptation) - 2020;
Prize of the National Union of Theater Workers of Ukraine named after Marian Krushelnytsky (for the roles of Ivan Sinytsia («Hutsulka Ksenia»), Hamlet (HAMLET), Aeneas («Aeneid»), Brother Lorenzo (Romeo&Juliet) - 2021;
Prize «Black Lotus» (for the main male role (Ivan Dovbush) in the film «Dovbush») - 2024;
Golden Lifon Award in the nomination «The Sexiest Ukrainian Actor» – 2024.