“You can play [the role well], but to be in Sean Baker’s movie means something more than just doing your work because he gives everything to the movie. You feel that you have to, by some metaphysical knife, cut out a part of your soul to give to the movie too, it’s your sacrifice to be here. It was the biggest challenge but also the biggest reward.” From the daring depths of his native Russia’s indie habitat to an almost inevitable impending inclusion among Hollywood’s elite, @mark.eydel cannot simply look forward; his sight is squinted by possibilities. Fresh from his hilarious and piercing breakthrough turn in Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or-winning paragon Anora, the 22-year-old covers Wonderland Winter 2024, documenting his cross-continent odyssey to securing the role, reflecting on the lessons he learned working with the film’s auteur director, depicting the intricacies of his performance as Ivan, the complex son of an oligarch, and looking ahead at a future career of multifarious opportunity. Head over to the link in our bio to pre-order the issue now. Mark wears @omega Photography by @noltekuhlmann Styling by @itsamandalim and @lucakingston Words by @tibbitsben Grooming by @mr.sarah__ at @thewallgroup Editorial Director @charlottejmorton Editor In Chief @toniblaze Senior Editor @ellabardsley_ Editor @ericarana Features Editor @tibbitsben Art Director @mike.w.morton Assistant Art Director @beth1owri Junior Art Director @llltash Fashion Director @abigailhazard Production Director Lola Randall and @clemmiehyde