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Friday April 20, 2007

‘Domestic’ bliss for Ukrainian-born S.F. actress

by dan pine
staff writer

When actress Alla Korot first read the script for the independent film “Domestic Import,” she knew she was right for the lead role of Sophia. Like the character she hoped to play, Korot was a Soviet immigrant, a flamboyant dresser and a spitfire to boot.

But no one handed her a thing. Korot had to audition like everyone else vying to play the sassy Ukrainian nanny. The Jewish actress landed the part thanks to talent and preparation. “I created the character,” she recalls of that successful audition. “I did wardrobe and props. I had to create a reality.”

“Domestic Import” begins a Bay Area run starting April 27 at San Francisco’s Balboa Theater.

Now based in Los Angeles, Korot grew up in San Francisco after her parents emigrated from Odessa in 1977 (thanks largely to the assistance and generosity of the Jewish community). That Slavic background helped when it came to bringing Sophia to life.

The comedy tells the story of an upper middle class couple that hires Sophia as a nanny for their newborn. Sophia does things her own way, as a nanny and as a woman, and strives to bring her own family members over from Ukraine, one at a time. Hilarity ensues.

“There were a lot of places where there were [Russian] nuances,” Korot said. “In one scene, I’m walking through an alley and I yell at the homeless guy. But you have to be Russian to understand it. None of the stuff I say in Russian was scripted.”

“Domestic Import” is one of those little-engine-that-could indie films, willed into existence by first-time writer/producer Andrea Malamut. Without a big-name star attached, finding wide distribution was tough. Still, the film is catching on, one market at a time.

Although she’s only 37, Korot is by now an old hand in show business. She has appeared in episodes of “24,” “Shark” and “Alias” and was a regular on “All My Children.”

The filming of “Domestic Import” made for some classic only-in-L.A. moments. While on a break from shooting at Culver Studios, she bumped into comedy superstar Will Ferrell. “And the best part was that he thought he knew me.”

Korot came of age in the Bay Area, an only child with a talent for dance. The Mercy High School graduate studied at the Nova Academy and at its affiliated dance school, Ballet Celeste. Winning the Miss Teen pageant helped her get into UCLA, where she majored in dance and Russian.

It was around that time that acting supplanted dancing. “When I went on point, it was so painful that I didn’t feel I had a future. So somehow I naturally went to acting.”

Korot credits being Jewish with more than just a spiritual foundation. “I’m in America, living the American dream because I’m Jewish,” she said. “That’s the reason [the Soviets] let our family out. I feel really proud to be a Jew. I love the community and how we stick together.”

Korot is married to a Russian-born Israeli expatriate. Together the two launched a side business offering organic skin care products over the Web. They call the company L’Uvalla, a blend of their first names, Yuval and Alla. The company goes online in June.

She does plan to return to her hometown of San Francisco for the local premiere of “Domestic Import” next week. The visit will give her a chance to catch up with friends and family, who will surely want to kvell over her success.

And if they look closely during the film, they may notice Korot wearing a striking art deco negligee-style robe. What they may not know is that the garment has a Hollywood pedigree all its own.

“It was worn by Greta Garbo,” she says. “And you know what? It fit like a glove.”

“Domestic Import” begins its exclusive Bay Area engagement April 27 at the Balboa Theater, 3630 Balboa Street, S.F. Information: (415) 221-8184.