there is something going on right now, which i can't say anything about. not yet. but i do need to make this note.

recent

I've done an interview for a documentary film on Russian espionage for a well known channel, which i can't currently disclose. The other interviewees include Ahmed Zakayev, Mr B.B, and high up MI6 guys. Fun company. The irony is in the fact that some of the interviewees, off the record of course, tried to imply that i am an FSB person. My, oh my.....

Putin was in Dagestan few days back and said that the people of this region deserve special treatment because they once stood up, paying for it with their blood, not just for their own republic but for the unity of Russia as a whole. He's been going back in time to the 1999 events in Dagestan a lot recently. He rode into power on the tale of those events.

Dagestan production updates

Trying to keep a diary of our progress in Dagestan. So far nothing from the authorities. People are calling to book tickets though. Someone with intellectual authority has called the director to thank him for taking on this subject. We will have to see....

Mavlet told me that every day when he goes to the rehearsals of my play in Makhachkala he expects someone from the local high official office to arrive to discuss the production with him. And they won't be talking about the lighting. The manager of the theatre is walking around pale, thinking that someone from the local Dagestan audience and out of profound dislike for the Chechens, might start a real fight with the actors who portray Chechens. Actors, on their part, are afraid that mujahadeen might use the situation and come and replace some of the actors who play mujahadeen and do something nasty. It's comical)))....or.....not....

Theatre of politics

Politics can be absolutely riveting. At least American politics. It's like really good theatre with great writing and talented acting. To add to that, and this is the best thing about it, in both cases there is a good amout of genuine emotion. Or i might simply be a lot less cynical than i thought. Obama/Clinton debate at the Kodak theatre in LA was the best thing i've seen in a while. And that includes film, football, stars on ice, desperate housewives and porn.