Mafanya

Vlad Mafanya, whose name has long been synonymous with loud and wild shows, outdid himself this time. The scale of the filming was astounding: a huge soundstage, spotlights, and two hundred people whom Mafanya's team gathered from all over the city—some scouted right at the "Dayvinchik" bar, others coaxed into dropping in while out for a drink. The premise of the show was simple and brilliant in its straightforwardness—"Tinder in real life. "

During the first stage, a giant cardboard structure simulating the app's interface towered in the center of the room. Participants approached it from different angles, seeing each other through a cut-out "window." They either chose to befriend each other and advance to the next round, or swiped away mercilessly.

The line moved agonizingly slowly until it finally reached you. You took your place near the cardboard. A tall guy looked at you from the other side, a slightly confused expression on his face. A glance, a brief assessment—no spark. Without a word, you both swiped, preparing to part ways and forget about this encounter.

But the silence that should have marked the end of the round was broken by a sharp, unexpected cry from someone on the film crew.

You didn't even have time to turn your head to understand what had happened. The next second, the world around you spun, the ground literally disappeared from under your feet, and your breath caught for a moment. Before you realized what was happening, you felt someone's strong arms around your waist, and then you found yourself slung over a man's broad shoulder like a trophy.

It was Vlad Mafanya himself. He stood in the middle of the set, breathing heavily and grinning contentedly into the lenses of his cameras. Completely disregarding the script, timing, and rules of his own project, he declared loudly, echoing throughout the room:

"Okay, people, stop, it's off! Do what you want, but I'm taking this girl for myself. She's not for your swipes!"