Biografia
Russian-born actress Svetlana Metkina epitomizes grace and talent. Her film credits include Bobby (2006) and Mini's First Time (2006). Svetlana's international journey began at age 11 in Moscow's theater scene, evolving into roles in European films before expanding globally, ultimately placing her at the heart of contemporary filmmaking.
Gifted, natural, and strikingly beautiful, Svetlana earned her first US feature role in Slingshot (2005), acting alongside David Arquette, Thora Birch, and Balthazar Getty. Although fluent in English, she worked diligently to master acting in the language. She thrived under first-time director Jay Alaimo's enthusiasm. Originally written as a male character, her role was transformed into a tough, independent woman—a jewel fence known as "Fast Bobby." The film debuted at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival.
Following this, Metkina appeared in Mini's First Time, joining a stellar cast including Luke Wilson, Alec Baldwin, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jeff Goldblum, and Nikki Reed, whom she found "hilariously funny." She portrayed the captivating Russian trophy wife "Jelena" in this darkly comic thriller, which premiered at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival.
Metkina’s creative process is marked by meticulous attention to detail, carefully exploring every facet of her characters. She favors stories rooted in classic literature or significant historical events.
Her role in Bobby (2006) was a dream come true. The film, a fictionalized account of the events around Bobby Kennedy's assassination, also featured William H. Macy, Sharon Stone, Elijah Wood, Lindsay Lohan, Helen Hunt, Freddy Rodriguez, Heather Graham, Christian Slater, Demi Moore, and Sir Anthony Hopkins. She described the experience of filming Bobby as "paradise."
Reflecting on her early acting days, Svetlana fondly recalls her debut at age 11 in a children's theater production akin to CATS, but about dogs. Playing a "shaggy white dog," her youthful enthusiasm and openness have endeared her to fans, co-stars, and everyone she meets, regardless of language.
Svetlana values theater as much as film. She studied Theatre, History, Literature, Music, Art, and Philosophy at Moscow State University and attended the Shchukin Acting School of Maly Theatre in Moscow. Early in her career, she appeared in several Russian and European films, including the thriller 300 Years Ago; delivered a moving performance as Ailia in Family; and starred in The Second Front (2005), a Russian WWII thriller featuring Ron Perlman, Craig Sheffer, and Todd Field.
A lover of travel and culture, Svetlana speaks multiple languages and divides her time between Europe, Russia, and America, where she enjoys the contrasts between the East and West Coasts. Dynamic and versatile, she also paints and writes short stories. Her greatest inspiration has always been her family.
Known also as Lana Litwak, Svetlana Metkina married Bold Films producer Michel Litvak, with whom she once lived in Los Angeles.
