I sometimes hear, even from the people i think i know, a question: 'Why do you do this?' They mean my interest in social and religious issues, the conflicts that are in existence and are about to erupt, the unfair treatment of the old people AND officers of the secret services, the carelessness of the government and the selfishness of the people. The moral pit that we're all in. All in all, the things that are generally considered to be unsafe. My answers vary but, regardless of the wording, the thing is, i can't do it any other way.

And i really feel...

...Vysotsky would have never accepted the way things are now. He wouldn't have made it to see the vulgarity of today's reality of cheap celebs and oligarchs. He would have died once the breakdown of the Soviet Union, which he so much desired, turned into a heartless, soulless land of gangsters, hookers and contract killings.

Vysotsky

Today would have been Vladimir Vysotsky's 70th birthday. He is a Poet. Actor. Artist. Genius. He is a legend, as valid today as he was in the politically stale and grim 60s and 70s. Fighter. The voice of the people. I was 3 when he died. He was 42.... He is my hero. He is our Russian Hero......

Heath Ledger

i wasn't going to write about this but decided i can't not to say somethings since i've been feeling it very deeply. He was great, true actor, a genuine talent, a lovely man who didn't care about the celebrity circus. I exchanged messages with Heath's agent who is responsible for his career and together they would have done so much more. it was not to be. He is devastated. We all are. RIP beautiful talented young man.

Theatre director from Dagestan, my friend, was in Moscow recently and while meeting with some film industry pals to discuss various projects asked what they thought of a film idea based on Nord Ost events. Their reply was, great... but not here and.. not now and... not on our money and... not for our audience. This reminded me of a line from Evgeni Schawarz's play The Dragon when the city governor is asked if Lancelot the warrior can with the battle over the almighty Dragon, he says, sure he can, but... not now and... not here an...d not over the Dragon and... not Lancelot. The man was a genius.

The Medvedev state sponsored PR campaign is well underway. On every news bulletin 70% is the coverage of his activities, from work to play. You barely see Putin anymore. In my view Medvedev, with his very civilised appearance and sweet shyness, is not more than a leader of Belgium or Luxembourg. Not Russia.

Following the process of party nominations campaing in the US does make elections in Russia look pretty...hmm...different. In America you know it's a real and genuine process the way the front runner changes almost on the daily basis. But in Russia for a number of also genuine reasons we can't do any better, not yet. P.S I support Hilary.