Danila Kozlovsky Interview with The Hollywood Reporter: 'Vampire Academy's' Danila Kozlovsky on Being a Russian in Hollywood: Cold War Is 'Still With Us' (Q&A)

The 28-year-old actor talks about his first English-language role and minding Russia’s international image.

Danila Kozlovsky is on the verge of international recognition. Cast as Dmitri Belikov, a half-human/half-vampire character in Mark Waters' adaptation ofRichelle Mead's novel Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters, he will play opposite Ukrainian actress and “Bond girl” Olga Kurylenko, who plays headmistress Ellen Kirova.

Ahead of Vampire Academy’s release, Kozlovky speaks with The Hollywood Reporter about crossing over to Hollywood, minding Russia’s international image and excelling despite the language barrier.

How would you describe your first English-language role?

I would like to take a moment to thank Richelle Mead for writing such a great, interesting character as Dimitri. It is very important for me to represent my country in this movie, as a man who loves, who has a good sense of humor, is passionate, and is a very interesting person -- a really good guy. Dimitri has been living in America for a long time and speaks with a slight Russian accent. He is a very reliable and, at the same time, a quite mysterious person. He listens to old music and reads cowboy books. He is a man who people say who has old-fashioned values. I really enjoyed playing him. This is not the typical Russian stereotype role where guys are doing stupid or bad things.

Why do you think so few Russian actors have “crossed over” to Hollywood?

I don't like the fact that there are so few Russians in Hollywood, but it is understandable because of the historic relationship between America and Russia; the Cold War history for example. It is kind of a cliche, but it's still with us. But at the same time I'm very pleased that American filmmakers are now beginning to change their perceptions and attitudes.

Does lack of exposure or the language barrier play a part?

Of course it is all about language. It is essential to speak English fluently. Maybe it is also lack of exposure. Remember, we are a very young film industry in Russia. It really has only developed in the last 20 years, after everything collapsed with the end of the Soviet Union. The relationship between Russian and European filmmakers is an emerging one, just now beginning to evolve.

Read the full interview on The Hollywood Reporter HERE