Why I Swam Upstream

See the trailer for a new documentary about Soviet sexologist Igor Kon — and support Meduza to watch the film early

“Why I Swam Upstream” is a new documentary from the Berlin-based film studio Narra and the independent journalists’ cooperative Bereg about the Soviet and Russian sociologist, psychologist, and philosopher Igor Kon. In the mid-1980s, Kon became widely known to the Soviet public as the country’s first (and, for many years, only) sexologist, making frequent media appearances in which he spoke openly about one of the most taboo topics in Soviet society. In the 1990s, he studied homosexuality, and in the early 2000s, he turned his focus to gender roles. In the Putin era, when conservatism and “traditional values” became Russia’s official ideology, Kon became a de facto enemy of both the state and the Russian Orthodox Church. He died in 2011. As Igor Sadreev shows in his film, he fought for the ideas of individual liberty, equality, and tolerance until the very end of his life.

“Attitudes toward homosexuality constitute an ideal litmus test for measuring democratism and tolerance. Under Soviet rule, the litmus paper was crimson with blood. Today, it blushes red for shame,” Kon wrote in 2007. In today’s Russia, which has outlawed the non-existent “LGBT movement” and is ramping up repressions against the queer community, Igor Kon’s ideas are only becoming more relevant.

With permission from the Bereg cooperative and Narra film studio, Meduza has released “Why I Swam Upstream” online. It’s currently available to those who have donated to support our work. You can get early access by supporting our YouTube channel here (Click “Join”).

If you already donate to Meduza, write to us at support@meduza.io and we’ll send you a link to the film.

Director Igor Sadreev

Igor Kon’s life and work spanned several very different eras: his research career began under Stalin, while his last books were published under Putin. But throughout all of these periods, his work remained useful — not just for academia, but for regular people. Hundreds of thousands, and possibly even millions, attended his lectures, read his writing and interviews, and watched him on TV. He didn’t hide behind his desk from the world; he sought to change it to the best of his ability. He tackled the most taboo and painful subjects and stood up for society’s most vulnerable members. Ultimately, this is a film about scientific courage, moral responsibility, and inner freedom.

Once again: the film is available now to those who support us financially, either on YouTube or directly. Write to us at support@meduza.io after making your donation, and we’ll send you a link to the film. It will be available to watch for free in September.