Truth

My personal globalization means that i don't root for any country when it comes to sports thus missing the Olympics fun. Which is a little sad. I think people who walk around with beer and painted faces have a great time. And this is not a cynical statement. In fact i am a cynic-idealist. Happens sometimes.

P.S However, really bummed out about US losing the hockey game. The only concelation is that we lost to Canada, where hockey is bigger and they are hosting the Olympics, so this is big for them.

I miss Andrei very much. We have very limited contact right now and it's tough. I am trying to clarify the logistics of my visit to him and the rest of what we plan to do.
There is over a hundred people in the barack, all 'special' people, from the military and the secret service. Apparently the guards are selected specially for this potentially very potent gathering. This camp, which our friend jokingly calls 'pioneer camp', is in the woods, so there a lot of fresh air. Well, that's good.

The truth is in Russia everyone is a minute away from being a prison camp resident. All it takes is for someone to hate enough you or what you do.

Siberia on a bad day is what New York is today

Strasbourg Court

My Nord Ost friends told me yesterday that, in case of a dissatisfactory outcome of their Strasbourg appeal, they won't stop there and will take the case further. They said that that's the decision they have made for themselves.
The lawyers are saying that no other case has taken this long for the Strasbourg Court to come to a decision on. My guess is that they are trying to come up with a safe formula that won't offend either the victims or Russian government. I think they are hesitant to rule that what the government has done is wrong and inhumane.

One hell of a screwed up op.

It's a good day today-Russian president fired the general who put my fiance in jail, the corrupt and ruthless Arkady Edelev.

Tremendous- Mickey Rourke in a Russian prison.

Svetlana Tegin, the Northern Star that shines warmly.

Born in Ukraine she came to Russia as a young girl and, in the crazy 90s, managed to set up her own business and her own label. Selling all over Russia and Ukraine she is now expanding to the rest of the world.
Tegin, as foreign journalists call her, is, indeed, a petite woman of no small measures.

Tegin label will soon go global. And it’s about time.

She travels the world and dresses Dita Van Tess.
During the New York Fashion week we share a cup of coffee and I ask Svetlana Tegin a few questions that might allow me to peak into her talented and beautifully cropped head.


Favourite time of day?
Morning.

Women that inspire you?
Gala, Dali’s lover, among others.

Fear of?
Losing loved ones.

One quality you wish for your child to have?
Patience.

Fame or Fortune?
Fame.

What will save the world?
Love, of course.

The least favourite phrase?
‘I’m bored’.

Colour of Happiness?
Green.

The most favourite phrase?
Now or never.

Who would you be if you weren’t a designer?
A jazz dancer.

What animal would you be?
A horse.

Eternal life-good or bad?
Good.

Beauty is in…
Details.

What era would you have liked to live in?
The future.

Your worst quality?
Don’t have any.

Last thing you would do in this life?
Watch the sun set.

My V day phone call

I had a real Valentine's Day gift today-I spoke to Andrei for the first time since he arrived at the camp; he was able to call me. When i asked him if they got there OK, he replied-'Lets just say we go here'. He was in a decent mood and there is a chance i might see him soon. Picturing him in a grey robe with a number tag is like seeing the bad guy shoot the hero. But.....
I think we might make it. We must. Somehow.

Seven years is not too long for those who have faith and know how to wait.

)))

V D

Valentine's day - a day to spend cash and remind those without partners that they're alone. Heard this - Why not create a Day of the Rich or a Day of the Beautiful. Hillarious.

SCENE CLASSES, COLD READING CLASSES
BY

NATALIA PELEVINE
THEATRE ACTOR/SCREENWRITER

MOSCOW ARTS AND LONDON’S CITY LIT GRADUATE

WORKED ON LONDON AND MOSCOW STAGES

WILL make you a stronger actor, and make you ready to nail auditions.

Can come to you, anywhere in NYC area.

1,5 HOURS, $25
201 895 54 43
Natalia@firstactproductions.com

‘OUR’ STALIN



In late 2009, 21st of December to be precise, marked Stalin’s 130th birthday. According to the Russian national poll only 30% view him as a tyrant and 37% see his as a positive figure.

Cult of personality is a powerful term, the one and only real meaning of which is the worship of the One, Single person. Th key word here being-Worship.

Here are the facts-Joseph Stalin is a leader under whose rule millions of people were sent to labour camps, and, according to some estimates, in 1937,1938 alone around 700,000 were executed.


***
But, who is Stalin to the young generation of Russians, still at school or college?
Dmitry, 15, when asked whether he sees Stalin as a negative figure in the Russian history, responds with: ‘He is more important than others, and more famous’. Fame, a much-favoured concept these days, it appears, makes for many allowances.

For most young people Stalin is a figure they don’t fully understand. Many films now made at a speed of light about the Soviet leaders, who, of course, can’t fight back, seem nothing more than a glamorised, cinematographic exercises with terrible writing and bad acting. They are merely exercises that make these leaders appear almost like mythical figures.
The Industrialisation, a major and, in many ways, unprecedented economic move, does now resonate well with the youth raised on the idea of a free global market economy.

There is one unshakable part of Stalin’s 'statue'. World War two is considered to be one of the main events of Russian tragic history, and is perceived as a source of great national pride. Left aside is the fact that the Allies also made a few shots at the enemy, but as far as Russians are concerned Stalin and the Soviet people won that war.
To this point the ‘foreign’ history books are a source of a lot of confusion.


***
The 'greatness' of Russia, that, according to some, was only really manifested to the fullest during Stalin’s rule, is still missed by many. The idea that Russia always proves itself great in war and confrontation is still dangerously fresh and very possibly true. Can't build a car but will blow up a tank.

The current global mood appears to be that of trying to change the global atmosphere for the more peaceful one and the one of tolerance. Political correctness has gained a new meaning with the arrival of Obama in the White House. Can Russia fit into this new set up?
Is it possible that Russia is only truly functional or even content under the rule of the iron fist?
Perhaps, it is not as simple as that.
However, possibly Stalin’s strongest quality was to appear to be in charge and fully in control -standing with a strong, iron back oozing calm. In Russia to the Russian people, practically incapable of making their own decisions, this means everything.
The deeply rooted belief that those in power are always right by definition can only mean one thing, - no change in attitude of essence of those in power will occur. Communists, capitalists, words and labels make no difference. The relationship remains that of inferiority complex on the part of the people and egomania on the part of those in power. There can be NO CHANGE.
Germany accepted its mistakes and moved on. Russia never did and unlikely to do so in the future. And everything Stalin did will be written down as nesseseray measyres. The belief among many Russians seems to be this - It’s not the good-quality cars or world level products that make Russia great but the ‘Great’ leader.

Ryazan, our new geographic spot

Ryazan, where Andrei now is, in a camp, is 192 km away from Moscow. It was founded in 1092 and has a population of around 500,000. These things are important as you paint a picture of where the person who is forced not to be with you is.

The good news is that this is where the scientist Pavlov ( and i assume Pavlov's dogs), Esenin and Solzhenizin came from.

There is hope.

MY MAN HAS ARRIVED AT THE CAMP. Alive, yes. Nothing else is known yet. There is an address. Must go back to the great old-fashioned letter writing.

THIS IS ANNA'S PLACE, OVERDUE

Three marriage proposals down the road and all my subsequent denials...

well... you'd think I'd be wondering what to do next. Say 'yes' to the next decent guy or leave t alone for good.

More than three years on I very much remenicce about the time the Nord Ost families came and stayed with us in London.

Fab!

Still no word from Andrei. One of my best friend's husband has cancer. A very rare kind and we've been in the dark for so long as to what it is. They have a one-year old son-my Godson Chris. It wasn't long ago that an article was published both in Russia and the US about this boy-a child, a symbol in some ways, of what happened in the Moscow theatre siege in 2002. Now this....

We are all in much despair over this ....

And this is how i felt today, between facing up to all the differences i have with my mother and tough decisions on the play and screenplay fronts, it's been draining.

How do i sell myself for the top kopeek?... joke

Theatre, not politics

'NO JESUS HERE, DARLING!'

Stepping aside from the heavy stuff for a moment here is a possible poster for my new play 'Strip Of Roses'.

MY PHOTO OF THE DAY

I really have no idea what state Andrei will arrive at the camp in. It's terrible. And, providing he is OK, how soon i'll be able to have some form of contact with him. Every camp has its own rules. And then there is a relationship between the 'old wolves' and the 'new herd'. Who can tell how all of those adjustments will go.

I am also petrified that he will get a bad toothache. Believe me in that place it is a serious concern.

As Pyotr Chaadaev said: "I love Russia, but not for myself, for it".

Seven month ago...The man i cared about deeply, my mentor died....the man i was planning my life with was sentenced to 9 years in jail. What did i do? I quit smoking.