CinemaBravo

International actress and entrepreneur Anastasiia Dymchenko met with select entertainment media including CinemaBravo while she was in Russia on January 7, where she spoke about navigating an acting career that spans multiple countries.

She is set to return to the UAE before heading back to the Philippines to promote her film Nuclear Winter, directed by Filipino filmmaker Danni Ugali.

Dymchenko described herself as an actress, model, and entrepreneur whose creative journey began in the fashion world. She spent several years attending fashion weeks in Milan, Paris, and Dubai before deciding to pursue acting full-time. Wanting to deepen her craft, she later studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, an experience that helped shape her approach to cinema and performance.

Born and raised in Samara, Russia, Dymchenko said she had an active childhood, often immersed in dancing, singing, and performing.

“Becoming an actress was my big dream since I was a little girl,” she shared.

She credited her family for encouraging her ambitions and for teaching her discipline and kindness, which she said continue to guide her career today.

Working across borders

Now based in the UAE, Dymchenko’s present life involves frequent travel for castings and filming, alongside building her perfume business. “Every day is different,” she said. She added that her daily routine remains closely tied to creative work.

Her acting career continues to gain momentum. She revealed that she filmed two major movies in Russia last year, both scheduled for theatrical release. More recently, she starred as the female lead in Nuclear Winter, which was filmed in Abu Dhabi. The project marked another step in her international career and strengthened her collaboration with filmmakers working across regions.

“The acting world in the UAE is growing very fast,” Dymchenko said. She also noted that working on Nuclear Winter opened new opportunities for her.

She added that living in Dubai has allowed her to pursue acting, networking, and business while remaining open to projects abroad.

Building connections with the Philippines

Dymchenko said her interest in working in the Philippines continues to grow following her previous visit. She recalled feeling an immediate connection to the country and its people, describing their warmth and openness.

“There is so much heart, emotion, and love for cinema,” she said. According to her, discussions are already underway for future projects in the Philippines, including a major film collaboration that she described as confidential for now.

Her time in the country left a lasting impression. She stayed in the Philippines for a month and worked mainly in Manila, Cebu, and General Santos. During that period, she attended the Tuna Festival and sampled local cuisine. She mentioned chicken adobo, sinigang, fresh mangoes, seafood in General Santos, halo-halo, and piaya among her favorites.

“Honestly — the people,” she said when asked about her most unforgettable experience. She recalled being welcomed on set and in daily life, even being invited into homes and introduced to families.

Creative goals beyond acting

Looking ahead, Dymchenko said she wants to portray strong and layered female characters, particularly in psychological thrillers, dramas, and historical films. She expressed admiration for emotionally driven performances and cited Maria starring Angelina Jolie as a recent role she found compelling.

Acting, she explained, became her focus after years of modeling. “I realized I wanted to show not only how I look, but also what I feel inside,” she said, adding that observing people and imagining their inner worlds drew her deeper into the craft.

Beyond film, Dymchenko continues to grow her perfume brand in the UAE. She described perfume as another form of storytelling, with each fragrance reflecting different aspects of her inner world and developing uniquely on each person. She also shared her interest in eventually introducing her perfume line to the Philippines.

As she prepares to return to the UAE and later head back to the Philippines to promote Nuclear Winter, Dymchenko expressed her gratitude to Filipino audiences. “From my heart — thank you,” she said.

Catch more of Dymchenko as she hopes to continue creating stories that resonate with the Filipinos.