Golden Key Theatre

Three cockroaches—Alessandro, Anton, and Giovanni—are new characters who help the protagonist in his adventures. According to the plot, the three cockroaches steal a golden key from the tortoise Tortilla and plant it in the closet of the carpenter Carlo. Along with the key, they leave a note asking Carlo to open a metal door behind a canvas wall with an old fireplace and make a wish.

The cockroaches become guides into the story of Buratino, whom they have known since the moment of his birth.

Basilio is a con man who makes a living as best he can. Unlike the classic tale, in the new version, he and his companion, Alice the Fox, are not presented as outright villains. They have their own stories, philosophies, and principles, albeit distorted ones. At the same time, Basilio and Alice are capable of genuine affection: they become attached to Buratino as their "foster son" and are unable to let him go to another life.

A street scammer who pretends to be lame. She wears a red knitted skirt with a braided ponytail at the back. Like a true thief, Alice is hung with trinkets: on her belt she has a chatelaine with cards, bottles, and even a magnifying glass.

Character of Karabas In the new film adaptation, the character of Karabas is deeper than in the classic fairy tale: he is not just a villain, but a man with a traumatic past. Key character traits: Imperious and cruel. Karabas is a despotic theater director who treats the puppets and his subordinates harshly [1][2].

Cunning. Able to manipulate and adapt to circumstances when necessary to achieve goals. Greed. The main goal is to get rich and prove one's worth to the world [1].

Traumatized. In the past, Karabas did not know parental love, which led to a hardened soul and the development of a harsh disposition [1].

Bitterness. He's irritated by everything around him, and he's extremely hostile to the world. This is partly due to physical discomfort. At one point in the film, Karabas removes some of his "armor" (elements of costume and makeup), and the viewer gains a clearer understanding of his story and the motives behind his actions. is presented in complex make-up and an elaborate costume that highlights his powerful, cruel and cunning character.

Artemon's character In the new interpretation, Artemon's character is revealed through his style and behavior: Freedom-loving. His image is rebellious, independent—he doesn't fit into the strict confines of Karabas's theater [1]. Devotion. Despite his outward brazenness, Artemon remains a loyal friend to Malvina and is ready to protect her. Romanticism. His love of music (especially early Pink Floyd) hints at a subtle soul and a dreamy nature [1]. Practicality and endurance. His worn suit and shoes suggest he's accustomed to hardship and isn't afraid of challenges [1]. Irony and charisma. He has a touch of artistic hooliganism—he's not just a servant, but a vibrant personality with his own perspective on the world [1]. Appearance In the new film adaptation, Artemon is a rock star and Pink Floyd fan. His look is built on contrast: a worn leather biker jacket is paired with a lightweight frilled shirt. His jacket features decorative coins with chains, and the sleeves and cap are knitted from black rope with spools (a nod to the matted fur of a poodle). His shoes are scuffed and covered in road dust. Personality: Acceptance of Karabas-Barabas's "fatherhood." Despite the unhealthy upbringing created by Karabas, Harlequin is forced to accept this reality—Karabas has effectively become his family.

Pierrot Personality: A sensitive, creative character who writes poetry and songs. He finds it harder than others to endure the harsh treatment in the theater. It takes great courage to change anything, and Pierrot lacks that courage. A life-loving person with a strong belief in people, Pierrot has a difficult fate. For him, Malvina is a muse, and the Karabas theater is his salvation. Pierrot's costume is black and white, with numerous frills, the folds of which seem to have frozen with centuries of dust. Particular attention was paid to the collar—it was created using an authentic antique Breton collar found in his historical homeland.

Duremar Personality: He's been working at the theater for a long time, managing the affairs, handling paperwork, and signing contracts. He practices hirudotherapy (leech therapy) as a hobby. He's very loyal to Karabas, who is like a father to him. Therefore, Duremar follows the path of evil without realizing it. He's cunning and shrewd, but not evil.

Harlequin The look: a punk from a 19th-century theater, the costume consists of aged diamonds. The color and appearance of each diamond were approved with cinematographer Maxim Zhukov. Each element was intentionally "aged" to create a worn effect. A small porcelain figurine with a bell, attached to the headdress, completes the look.

Personality: A cheerful and optimistic man who manages to maintain a positive outlook in the most difficult situations. He never despairs. His salvation is humor. He knows how to laugh at both himself and others. Deep down, he is a very sensitive and kind character. In the new film adaptation, this character departs from the traditional image of a jester: there is tension in his gaze, a stiffness in his posture, and a strange, broken quality in his comical antics. Harlequin in the film is a man who grew up without parental love and is accustomed to Karabas's cruelty. Behind the outward humor, inner tension and trauma are evident.

Malvina Appearance: The corset is decorated with shards of Italian porcelain cups, crystal from chandeliers, and glass flowers. Around her neck, the heroine wears an exquisite "necklace of her own tears." Her skirt is made of gauze and various scraps of fabric. In the new version, the heroine has noticeably matured and found herself in creative thrall to Karabas.

Personality: A charming, unusual girl with blue hair. She has had a difficult life, which has made her thoughtful and sad. She is the leader of the theater group, always keeping a clear head on the situation. Malvina has short, curly blue hair. Costume Malvina's corset is decorated with shards of antique Italian porcelain cups, crystal pendants from chandeliers, and glass flowers. Around her neck is a necklace of tears. Costume designer Nadezhda Vasilyeva compared this look to children's "secrets": collecting beautiful shards and pieces of glass to hide in the ground. "That's how Malvina decorated herself. With shards of a beautiful life," the designer noted. Thus, Malvina's appearance in the film is a combination of fragile beauty, elegance, and symbolic details that highlight her destiny and inner world.

Papa Carlo The role was played by Alexander Yatsenko.

Appearance: in the warm color correction of the new "Buratino" and the wig, the actor looks much younger than his years.

Personality: Unlike the kind Papa Carlo in the Soviet film adaptation, the character in the new version is more brutal. In the new interpretation, Papa Carlo is not just a kindly old man, but a man with a deep inner history. His character is revealed through his relationship with Buratino and his interactions with the world.

Main features:

Unconditional love. For Papa Carlo, Buratino is not a curiosity or a tool for making money, but a true son. He accepts the wooden boy with all his flaws and pranks [2].

Faith in miracles. The desire to have a son was so strong that it brought a log of wood to life. This sincere belief in miracles is the foundation of the hero's character [2].

Kindness and mercy. Papa Carlo is ready to forgive and help, even when he himself needs support. He has not become embittered towards the world, despite the difficulties [1][2].

Loneliness. In the film, the hero has a backstory that explains his deep need for family. This makes his attachment to Buratino especially touching [2]

How did they meet? Meeting Karabas. During his journey, Buratino first encounters the formidable Karabas-Barabas. He notices the wooden boy's unusual talent—his ability to remain himself, his sincerity, and his natural charm. Karabas sees Buratino's potential to attract audiences and decides to recruit him to his theater. The Road to the Theater. Karabas invites (or, in fact, forces) Buratino to attend a performance and meet the actors. Thus, the hero finds himself backstage at Karabas's theater.

Meeting the troupe. At the theater, Buratino meets key characters one by one: Malvina, Pierrot, Artemon, and Harlequin. Why is this important to the plot? Meeting the theater actors becomes a turning point in Buratino's journey:

for the first time he feels like part of a team;

sees that other dolls also dream of freedom and a better life;

understands that Karabas is not just the owner of the theater, but a man with unfulfilled ambitions and inner pain (this later motivates Buratino to help other dolls gain freedom);

Buratino's character Buratino is a cheerful and incredibly inquisitive boy who gradually realizes he's different from other children. This awakens in him a strong desire to become a real man. To prove to his father that he can be a good son, Buratino sets out on a journey full of new acquaintances and adventures. Unlike the classic fairy tale, Igor Voloshin's film shifts the emphasis to the relationship with the father. Carlo is not an old man with a cane, but a middle-aged man willing to do anything for his son. At one point, he even admits that he can't make Buratino truly happy. Key character traits Origin. Buratino is no ordinary doll, but a creature brought to life by magic. He was created from a log by the hands of Papa Carlo, who truly loves his son. Self-awareness. As the story unfolds, Buratino realizes he's different from other children. This motivates him to set out on a journey: he wants to prove to his father that he can be a "real" son. Personality. The hero is cheerful, inquisitive, and energetic. He's open to the world, ready for adventure, and striving to find his place in life. His story emphasizes themes of self-identity, self-loyalty, and the power of love. Purpose. Buratino's journey is one of self-discovery. He faces trials, meets different characters, and learns to accept himself for who he is. Appearance: the jacket is made from an old velvet blanket, with a shirt from a theater poster underneath. Leather pants made from the material of a chair seat completed the look. One of the shoes (a dented cherry-colored one) was purchased at an antique shop and served as a reference for the color scheme of the costume.

Personality: He loves his father and is willing to do anything to prove his love. He has no fear; he hasn't yet learned that things can go wrong, that failure can occur. Overall, he has a lot of "basic" love and trust in the world. He comes as a ray of sunshine, light, and kindness, and he leads others because he doesn't know what can go wrong.