Svetlana Bogdanovskaya, 29, is a film director and curator. Bogdanovskaya tells about the plight of the Russian art industry, which has worsened since Russia started its war of aggression in Ukraine.
He can’t use the word war because he might get in trouble for it. He uses the term conflict in the interview.
In what kind of situation do you answer these questions?
– I agreed to this interview because it is important to hear the voices of the people who have remained in Russia. They are quiet now. Let’s think that when you have stayed in Russia, you support the current situation. It isn’t. I myself try to be an example of communication to the outside world. I am trying to tell what is going on in Russia and what millions are doing to keep life in their own hands. I try to give a voice to the silenced.
Are there many people like you in Russia?
– I have many friends who have stayed. It is difficult for those in management positions in the cultural sector to get a visa or asylum. There is no clear evidence that they are at risk. They have worked for the community and feel that it is still their responsibility. Leaving is only an option for compelling reasons.
You are originally from Vladivostok, but now you live in Moscow. Tell me about your situation.
– I got into modern art education in Moscow, and I’ve lived there for a year. I found work at cultural institutes. It just doesn’t pay enough. It has become increasingly difficult to find non-state-led, interesting jobs since the conflict began. Free projects are mostly unpaid. I do them because I have savings and the opportunity to do it alongside another job.
Now I start as a customer service manager in an advertising agency. We do projects in the real estate sector. It’s a field where I can develop my leadership skills without the hassles of the art industry at the moment.
How did you become a film director and curator?
– It has been organized in Vladivostok film festival already for eight years. It is aimed at countries in Asia and the Pacific and is one of the largest in the region.
At first I got a job with a really low salary, maybe around 200 euros in today’s money. However, it was a lot for me as a student, and I worked around the clock as an assistant to the manager. It was a dream job, a door to the magical world of movies. I got in touch with art and met people from abroad. I eventually progressed to head of the technical department and curator of short films. I wish I could continue in pesti next year.
How has the war affected Vladivostok?
– Of course there have been changes, but I can only speak for my own field. Now, no international projects are made and no international program is organized for the festival. It wasn’t easy before, because Vladivostok is far away, nine thousand kilometers from Moscow by car. It was expensive to bring instructors or jury members from Europe.
Recently, the reply messages started saying that we are very sorry, but we will not continue the conversation because it is a Russian festival. A large part of the answers took 20–25 films out of our reach in an instant, because it was about the producers of big companies. They owned the rights to several films.
How do you feel about the difficulties in the field?
– It’s from deep! It is also difficult to get Russian artists abroad. Everything takes more effort. Personal relationships are vital. We don’t hire young curators, no matter how skilled they are. It feels bad because we are not talking about interesting projects but about how we preserve the existing one. The cultural sector is fighting for survival.
Censorship has increased because of the war, how do you continue to work?
– You have to be aware that there are forbidden topics. If you don’t understand it, you will be asked questions. If you want to express your opinion and you have a plane ticket the next day, you have to remember that there are 20 other participants. And we’re not just talking about the artists, directors and actors, but all the workers behind the scenes. Others must stay to do the work after you leave.
You have just traveled abroad, how does it feel to return to Russia?
– When I travel, I have an emergency backpack with me. And I tell myself every time that I might not come back. Of course, it scares me that I won’t see my parents and friends anymore. Now I’m going back because I still have a lot of things to do.
The feeling of fear is also related to my work, where I present the Russian art field and convey people’s opinions and try to get them space in different places. The security police may try to develop something against me. And it is not difficult for them, they can make an excuse.
Have you thought about leaving?
– I’ve been thinking about leaving and I’ve been preparing for it a bit. But it really hurts to even think about it. I have cried a lot. I would really like to continue working with people in my field in Russia. I don’t want to be ashamed of being part of a big community. I don’t want to pretend to be someone else to protect myself from the criticism that I don’t stand up openly against this conflict. My work speaks for me.
I also have family here. My mother works for the government. Therefore, it is impossible to post anything on social media. I’m under pressure, but if I run away, people will be waiting for answers there too. And I still haven’t found a place I want to go.
Are you still visiting Vladivostok?
– I last visited my family before Women’s Day in March. Sometimes I wish I could go back, but there’s no work there.
Has ordinary life in Vladivostok changed?
– Not really. It’s different there. People have their own lives and it’s really far from Moscow. The situation is good, as long as their lives are not messed up.
Regional elections are coming soon. What do people in Vladvostok think about everything?
– The area has been really stubborn. For example, a situation related to the governor in the neighboring area led to people demonstrating against his arrest a couple of years ago. Now Moscow has given a lot of money to develop the area, and an international economic forum was held there. There are two big bridges and the administration is trying to develop tourism.
Do soldiers go to war from there?
– I don’t have any statistics on that. I can not say.
In this series of stories, we call Russians and look for answers to what is happening to representatives of various professions, civil society, journalists and activists in Russia.