All happy immigrant’s stories are alike, but every unhappy one is unhappy in its own way.
Mine doesn’t fit in either of those.
I grew up in a post-Soviet Union world, where I played chess before I started speaking. As a typical Soviet Union child, I was obliged to attend the theater every week and read Tolstoy at the age of 11. We listened to The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and watched pirate copies of Hollywood movies – practically any film we could get our hands on in video rental stores. I was loaded with classical education – music school, dance school, fine art school, and later University. Going to the Theater was fun, and later in life, when it came time to choose a profession, I became an actress.
After graduating from the Russian Academy of Theater Arts, where I studied Stanislavsky and Chekhov techniques, I played in the Moscow Art Theater for three years as their leading actress.
Film came into my life as a fun activity with my best friend: he had a video camera and I had a lot of silly ideas. As a result, I learned how to edit and write scripts, and he became a professional DP.
Editing became an unexpectedly big part of my life after I moved to the United States in 2013. I took a break from acting and worked at Lionsgate on a feature film, which was an incredible learning experience.
But wait… why did I move to the United States in a first place? Not because I wasn’t happy back in Russia, but quite the opposite. A great curiosity and courage had compelled me to immigrate, pulling me through the cultural shock and depression. This curiosity wouldn’t let me give up when I was struggling with a new language, and it lifted me to a new level of seeing the world and myself.
As a reward, I had a chance to work with Tony Kaye, an opportunity to play a part in the feature “Bonded” and I got back to songwriting… now in English. Now in New York City.
Having the best of my two worlds, I dance with life in a rhythm of tango, and stay excited for every new turn and passage.
With this regard, my currents now turn to the direction of endless discovery, as I tirelessly seek for ways to contribute to the world community with my art and my love.