‘My poor country’

Filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev on the historic conviction of two theater artists for ‘justifying terrorism’

On July 8, a Moscow court sentenced theater director Zhenya Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk to six years in prison each. According to the Russian authorities, the women “justified terrorism” with their production of Petriychuk’s play “Finist the Bright Falcon,” which is based on the experiences of Russian women who moved to Syria and married ISIS fighters. In response to the women’s conviction, renowned Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev wrote a column for Meduza reflecting on what the ruling shows about the state of Russian society. We’ve translated it into English.

My poor country is once again enduring the darkest of times — though it’s been many years since the kind of darkness we’re seeing today. How short the memories must be of those rejoicing at the triumph of tyranny over two wonderful women, both absolutely innocent; the only thing they’re “guilty” of is writing a play and bringing it to the stage. It’s been a long time since people in our country have been repressed for a play or for having their own opinions, a long time since we’ve seen the murder of opposition politicians — and even just inconvenient people. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the lawlessness that my beautiful country has now descended into, like a dark abyss.

What’s happening is unbearable to watch. A civil war is essentially in full swing in Russia. One part of society is reveling in another part’s misery. Everyone who was in a privileged position just a few years ago has been destroyed or forced out of the country. They’ve been replaced by those who went virtually unnoticed against the backdrop of the more established artists. I’m referring to theater, literature, and other cultural figures in recent years. The ruling class is a whole different conversation — one I have no desire to take part in, it’s so disgusting.

So now we have some nobody testifying in court and spouting nonsense, while another person — incognito — hides his face and his voice, citing his fear for his career. That’s a mistake, “Nikita,” for your time has come — you and those like you. Don’t hesitate: show your face. When the darkness subsides, you’ll be called a dishonorable traitor and a scoundrel. And the darkness will subside. Time means nothing — only our actions define us, and you’ll be judged by yours. In the meantime, you can go boldly and openly into that “house of life” that the authorities have stolen from the defendants. And it looks like your period of “prosperity” is going to last for a while, “Nikita.” Celebrate, enjoy your victory, dance on the bones of those you’ve crushed.

“The scum rise to the surface in any transitional period.” This statement from Dostoevsky’s Demons is about you, “Nikita” — there’s no doubt about that. And then there’s Bulgakov, who said a century ago that “the housing problem ruined the Muscovites.” It’s the same today: Russians who failed to remember the lessons of history, who craved revenge and were poisoned by resentment, have been ruined by the lifestyle that was imposed on us from the early 2000s. This decline is unbearably sad to watch.

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My heart goes out to Svetlana Petriychuk and Zhenya Berkovich, even though I haven’t met them personally. I sympathize just as much with their loved ones and with those who have been rooting for them through this entire miserable year. For young women, six years is a very, very long time. Being cut off from one’s life, career, creativity, and family for six years is terrible and repulsive. Everyone involved in this should feel ashamed. And they inevitably will.

“The tyrant must look sharp to see who is brave, who is great-souled, who is wise, who is rich and such is his good fortune that, whether he wishes it or not, he must be their enemy and plot against them all until he purges the city.” This is what Plato said more than 2,000 years ago. It’s nothing new. You tyrants are just boring to watch.