Hey, humans. How's it going. Susan Ruth here. Thanks for listening to another episode of hey, human podcast. This is episode 414, and my guest is dim bart. Dim was born in Russia. He was a film critic and culture and society journalist there, but was forced to flee. He's an award winning writer director, his films dead end, and the power of the strike, are exceptional. I've seen both of them. His story shine, a light on complex trauma, toxic masculinity, sexuality.
They're really complex and beautiful, Definitely the work of an a tour really lovely and stunning stunning work. I met Dim at the Portland Horror Festival. We both had films there, and got to be friends, and he's a really cool guy and his story is a fascinating 1. He's been through a lot. General stuff. I'm on Patreon at susan Ruth.
Check out hey human podcast podcasts dot com for links and to learn more about my guests and the show, check out susan root dot com to learn more about me and my other artistic endeavors. Follow susan Ruth, and hey, human podcast. On social media. Find my albums on Spotify, Apple music, Amazon Music or wherever you get your music. Rate review and subscribe to, hey, human podcast on itunes or wherever you get your podcast, and thank you for listening. Thank you for coming along.
For 8 years, be well, be kind, love. Here we go. Demon bart welcome to a, human. K. Hey. Thanks for having me. It's nice to see you. Yeah. Nice to see you too after, you know, like, 2 weeks or 3 weeks. After portland horror from Festival, yeah. Which was incredibly good. And I love our meeting and, yeah. Yeah. Thanks for having me. Absolutely. You... I mean, I met so many incredible people. At that festival. Everyone was kind and creative and interesting.
Your... I had a a couple top top films that I watched as a spectator even though we both had films in it, and it was fun to do the q and a with you and all of that, your film dead end stood out to me, it's so exceptional. And I thought, okay. Who that. I mean, we had met sort of been chatting and passing and stuff, but Like, I need to know this person who created this, and I just today watched your other film, the power of the strike. Brilliant loved it.
So you're really a talent. And I think that there are a lot of people out and I'm just gonna gus shu you for a second. There a lot of people on the world that do really beautiful work, have really beautiful art and say a lot with very little time or space to do it in. And you definitely are to me a cut above most of the stuff I see. So... Well done. Bravo. Yeah. It's it's so important to hear because, you know, like, sometimes, it's so dark around. You know my story
and probably I'll share it. With you're, like Audience as well, when you are, like, meeting people or, you know, like filmmakers or just just people from the crowd that could you know, like, appreciate your art, see something in it. You just It just a good reminder, there is something that could push you forward that could, you know, like, make your life reasonable. Well, And I think 2 creative have a lot of I'm... I speak for myself. I think we have a certain level of self doubt, which
is twofold. It pushes us. To do more to work harder, but it also once we create a thing, we think, alright. Now I've sent my baby off into the world and it's not up to me how it does. I've now... I've done everything I can do. Now it's up to the baby to get people to respond. Oh sure. It's and you can forget, you know that, oh, I worked really hard on this, and and I'm really proud of this, but in the movie, like oh my god. This person is watching it now.
Yeah. For sure. But, you know, like, at end of the day, we are making art for ourselves. You you'll never predict the direction. Because, you know, this reaction doesn't depend on you. This reaction doesn't depend on your talent initial aim or something like that. So many people, so many reactions, so many love hate relationships and stuff like that. We just need to to express yourselves. Yeah. I think you hit it right on the head and that I can't... I don't know about you, but I can't imagine.
Spending a live doing anything other than the creative work I do? Yeah. And, you know, like, for me it's really obvious that I e just can do anything besides, you know, like filmmaking besides art. Because I used to be journalist, and I did that, like, 10 years or so I burnt out, like, completely I almost committed suicide because of that. And I got this idea that I just I just can't do anything, you know? Because I found this passion. This 1 on thing that makes my life reasonable.
Makes my my life something. Worth living. Lay up for sure. For sure. And that's why I just can't, you know, like, Kuwait. Yeah. I get it completely. Let's go back to the beginning of you. Let's talk about where you're from and what childhood was like. Yeah. I'm I'm I'm I'm from, like, really small town, close to Moscow. It's like county to Los angeles. This... This town called Krishna, and it's famous by its, Soviet really famous cameras, called Zenith, So we got this Zenith factory
really close to my mom's place. It's like 15 minutes walk or something. So it's kind cinematic town, but it's like, in the middle of Nowhere, even being, like, really close to moscow. So it's basically like the border. Between Moscow and Moscow region or something. So, basically, I'm unlike Moscow kit, but got this feeling of being stuck
in the middle of Nowhere. Because our our town is like really small, a lot of people know each other And, yeah, it's got it got, like, its own mentality, not like big city mentality, but something rural, something suburban. So, yeah, I'm from from this this place, the a lot of different people, bad people good people. And I always wanted to escape. Wanted to run away from this place.
That's why for my early teenager years, I was like in Moscow, like, kitchen every day, I'm getting this, you know, like, public transportation to together there, and, you know, like, attending different screenings and, like, events and stuff like that. Yeah. As a kid, you would go to screenings even then? Yeah. Firstly, you know, I've been always like fascinating with film world with Cinema. Because when I was like 4 my parents were divorced, And then they rem to got their own families.
And, my dad, like, disappeared from my life. For a year or something. And then he got back as weekend and daddy something like that. And he he brought me to the local sin theater and showed me, like, a lot of stuff that really that ended up is a huge part of myself, I don't know, Iron man from Marvel studios. Like, Casino Royale, which was, like 1 of the most like, 1 of the first films that I saw in Theaters, I guess.
It was so so so such a big deal for me or even franchise, you know, it was kinda crazy, but it was like a part of my education part of my, you know, like, 2 thousands. So, yeah. I I got this fascination. And when I was a kid, I started to play this different social media quizzes, competitions, you know, like, to to get free tickets, to different advanced screenings and stuff like that. And sometimes I got, like, a big ones I attended this Russian premiere of the movie called
total recall. It was, like remake. With the call farrell, and I still got this screening invitation with signed by colin farrell somewhere in Moscow yeah. And 1 of these screenings was actually not like public screening, but was like, you know, this professional event was like press screening. It was as far as I remember, it was now you me, the movie by about these magicians with Jc and Barr and stuff like that. And it was very first press screening for me, it was my, you know, like it's
thing. But at the end of the day, I got this connection to 1 of these journalists that got the job on 1 of these online media And through this person, I got this, you know, like, being contributor for this social, not like social, but just online media. Outlet or something. And it would like we're beginning for this journalist Johnny, Journalist Johnny.
And then I got, like, a lot of a lot of different jobs like being an anchor, and, you know, like, like, radio host and writing for different, different really famous media outlets that's like forbes or G or Esquire something like that. Yeah. I'm curious did the politics of the region, filter in to the films where they edited it it all? Did they... When... As a journalist yourself? Did you start to feel any kind of containment around you?
Firstly, I covered phil only, and then I got this transition to, you know, like, politics and social, journalism. There was, like, no sense of ship in this, I don't know like 5 cents. But with each and every year, it's getting worse. For that... For example, we got this rocket main situation. You know, this smoother rocket man about, Elton John, played by Tu, the beach is incredible. I mean, like that or incredible. The movie is incredible, like, teach and every part of
this movie, like, sword uplifting team. I love this 1, and I lot from musicals and it's like musical as well. In Russia, these local distributors decided to go with some... Like self censorship stuff. They cut this sex scene of, from the movie and they cut off this, you know, like, final, like, quote, like, you know, this when we got this movie about, you know, like, movies based on true events, we got, like, something that happened, you know, like, next.
And they cut this line about him and his husband off. So sometimes it could be sunset it like this. Or, you know, like sometimes, there are some lines in different cut. Like animation, like, pixar animation about, you know, like, female character talking about her, like, a female partner or something like that, and event of the day is it just partner,
not like female partner. It it could happen like this or sometimes times, some could be banned in Russia, like there were there was the movie called the death of stalin, something like that, pan attire, like, really good 1. And it was, like, ready to go to theaters or almost came out. And just before, like, 2 or, 3 days. Before the day release, release day, it was like banned. Because of, you know, like, politics and this really sensitive theme for russian government.
Because you know, Russia is still, like soviets. Yeah. So sometimes, it happened. But now now, like, different legislation are getting worse, and, yeah, There are no room for clear films for, like, real politics on screen and stuff like that. And mostly it came from distributors, because, you know, like, they are just afraid of, you know, like, being bumped by the government. Sure. Was there a real sense in the community?
And as a kid growing up as well, knowing that Lgbtq, people are looked down on or even killed, is tell me about that and how it was to be around that atmosphere. Yeah. Almost told my life Was, like, the part of this, you know, like, liberal high progressive Moscow bubble. And it was a good thing for me because, you know, like, it's... This bubble got more freedom than, you know, like, a different citizen in rock besides Moscow And Petersburg or N Nov grid.
We got, like, some rural and suburban that could be, you know, like, even more tough. But even in this bowel, I got this idea that I couldn't be, like, openly, I don't know, gay or openly clear. Or openly mind even, because something was in the air, You know, like, you feel or suppressed. You feel, you know, like, scared something like that. And now it's even unbearable. I'm really afraid of you know, like, this situation with Russian with our kids right now,
They got no representation around. They got no rights to to just to date someone that they are like. Yeah. It's illegal. Right? It's basically illegal. Yeah. Because, you know, like, now Lgbtq community. Was named as extremist organization, something extremist, Lord. Yeah it's it's like... It's basically like, you know, a girl. Like, yeah. That's crazy. The basically gay people are terrorists. Russia. I'm mean I mean, according the law.
So, yeah. It's a huge part of Russian government's mentality in, Russian government's protection policy. When you're trying to to stay in power, you trying to find this inner our enemy. Before the the war started between Russian, Ukraine, and, you know, like, they found like not inner, but outside enemy. They try to find pennies inside the country. And it could be, like, you know, immigrants it could be gay people, it could be, like, minorities let's sale like that.
Do you worry when you see America's policies heading in those directions? A bit because, you know, like, rush just so alike the Us. Because, you know, like, for example, I got a lot of conversation with different Americans about your history about the history of the country. And probably, like, Obama's years were like the best years for the country, And we got the same with, like, this, 4 years with the president midwest, which now it's gone mad unfortunately. But before
that, it was like so liberal. It was he was so close to Obama as well. And we got, like, a lot of common points. But, fortunately, the Us got really strict. Judgment system or something. Russian court is so connected to the government. And there are no room for, you know, like, freedom in this field as well. So it's like basically the Us, but, you know, worse in the worst way. So, yeah, I I'm pretty boring, but I still got some hope, you know? Because if America falls. Sell of the world's falls.
Yeah. I believe that too. Tell me about when you started to create what we would call an America ra browser, what when you started to create some conflict and you began to realize that the things you were writing and saying we're on the watch list. When it burnt out with this, you know, like... Film journalism and stuff like that. I achieved a lot of different fancy stuff like, being on film set, or you know, like, doing junk with different celebrities.
I that idea that I need to make this transition to filmmaking. But, you know, like for making this hard and while you're, like, developing your, like, first short and then feature, you need to do something else. Like, page job or something like that. And I still was doing journalism, and I started doing, you know, like, this entrepreneur job, like, I ran this cinema theater Downtown Moscow. I did some private and public
events. For different, you know, like, reach people and stuff like that just to on money to pay rent and stuff like that. But still, I was doing journalism, and I decided to make my journalism like more reasonable, because, you know, like, for me, part of this burning out was like, This film john was that this, you know, like small talk interviews, it doesn't make sense. But, you know, like, when you're doing something social and political, it could be reasonable.
Even in the countries, like Russia. And so I decided to be honest with the white audience. I, firstly, wrote this S say about my generation generation z in our attitude to Sex and Sex on screen, which was like a huge splash. You know, like, a lot of people were talking about this as say, but talking about my vulnerability, my sensitivity and stuff like that. And I was, like, even b by this people on Facebook, like elderly, you know? Bullied or b?
Bullet, bullet. Bullet. I mean, like, they try to be so aggressive and, you know, like, hurt me in different ways, and it was like, yeah. I was a bit ruined, but I learned my lesson and it's a good thing for being, you know, like, our person because, you know, like, when you're art person, it could be, you know, like, hurt. Even faster and more crucial and stuff like that.
Yeah. And after this essay say, I got this said idea that I'm really good in it and I could talk, you know, like, to a lot of people about this controversial themes, and I got some face about my generation now attitude to politics, to position. I I was covering this, you know, like, this like generational thing. And when you are talking about yourself, you're talking about different themes and topics and so
I wrote a lot. And I was like a part of the position bubble in Russia, because I got a lot of friends, in different, Russian independent media at that moment. The person who I went through the university there, she's like the main anchor and anchor woman in this russian a position media. Something Gosh independent media even now, they abroad, but still doing journalism. So, yeah, I was a part of these people, and I just got this idea that... Yeah. I'm so loud.
I'm I'm not that loud as a politician, but I'm pretty loud to be, you know, like, on the list. So, yeah. It was like this. Did it... Did you get contacted by someone that told you to quiet down or was it an idea it was a mostly it was an idea. And it was arrested twice because of peaceful protests. It wasn't like crucial. It wasn't like being
sent. To the jail and stuff like that, but still, you know, like, when you are running away from the police, which we are calling, you know, astronauts, like cosmo nuts because, you know, like, they got this huge ammunition, and it's kind of scary. In the morning, you could go go through the street with a couple of water, during your, like, basic life, fancy life sometimes. But in the evening, you could run away from the police in the same street. And it's kind of scary. I got this. I got this
feeling steel in myself. And I saw, like, a lot of crazy brutal and violent stuff in Moscow streets, like, like, women being heard by policeman and, you know, like, being beaten by, you know, like, there are sticks and stuff like that. It's completely different experience, you know, like, when you are watching something on screen, even knowing... Even in the, even knowing that it's, like, real life, it's something different when you see, you know, like it's just
just by yourself. Yeah. Yeah. That's what's... So terrifying about here that there are... Voice opinion saying, oh, well, all all protest should be illegal that all protests in Russia Illegal. Even before the war started. They they... You know, like, the city authorities, needed to approve the protest. But, you know, like, they got a lot of different things that could cover, you know, like, this protest ban. Like,
Covid, you know, like policy. Like, you didn't get enough, coverage or something like that. I mean, like, they try to find different reasons to suppress the protest, and they they was doing, you know, I grew well in terms of that. The police came to your mom's house? Yeah. It was actually off to my fleeing. So when the war between Russian, Ukraine started, I got, this idea that it could be, you know, like, danger for me, like, an actual threat. Not like an idea.
And I fled the country after it was, like, 1 week after the board started. And it was March 20 22, and in November 20 22, they came to my mom's place. Like 8 times, they came for me and try to find me to thread her a bit yeah. And it was scary, but she is not in danger. And I'm not in danger because I'm not in Russia, you know, anymore. How did you get out? I I just bought my ticket?
Istanbul turkey. And I wasn't interrogated it on the border, but, you know, like, I tried to to to mix up, you know, like, some stories and stuff like that. I just tell tell them that I... I was like, a fran kid who is going to tour just to see the new Batman. And I show them my socks with batman, you know, like, and try to convince them, and it was like good. I mean, like, I was scared, but It wasn't like, they just checked my phone,
and I... Before that I deleted all all the stuff that could, you know, like, let's say that I'm, like, big person for polish politics and stuff like that. Yeah. So I came to istanbul turkey with no backup plan with duff back and 200 bucks. And I even got no place to stay that night. It was like 1 of this scariest day of my life. III remember this day when I was sitting at the starbucks in Istanbul with really shitty deep coffee and eating my oatmeal, which I brought with me
from Moscow. It was like a part of my coping the honey, you know, like, this full delivery. And I was eating this oatmeal, I was drinking this drip coffee, and then it was protein bar. As fires as I remember, and I was crying a lot because you know, like, my life became so unclear. And it was like my life was ruined in a day, and I needed to rebuild it from scratch, and I'm still doing this, even after 3 years, you know, Wow, it's so brave. Yeah. But sometimes,
you're just doing this. I I got this idea that I need. Needed to do that. I mean, I just know... I just don't know why. Just got this strong idea, a strong feeling that it could be right, And that was right. You know, like, no. I I could be in prison or something. Or dad? Oh dad. Even even that or in or even, you know, like, being in in the var field or something like that. Healing, you know, like, people from the other country.
I'm curious what the overall thoughts are of the people of Russia toward the politicians toward Putin. Is there a sense of, I'm terrified. So I'm not gonna say a word or this is bullshit we have to do something. Yeah. Honestly, we don't know. Because, you know, like, in countries countries like Russia, it's really scary to to be open publicly.
And when you're... We are getting this, like, research results, you know, like, like different, you know, studies and stuff like that, This study not so, you know, like, accurate because a lot of people are just scared to be, you know, like, to to stick to their accounts, you know, like, publicly, openly. And so now we just don't know the percentage of the people who like against the country. I mean, like the government. But the point is that before the war started. For sure, we got
this commitment. I mean, like, not the people like me, but the whole country got this commitment that government should do politics, and people should do their own lives. Like, you know, it's like the separate things. They are going to these selections to, you know, like, to keep putting and power just to be safe and stable. Just to be, you know, like, sure that the next day would be like the previous day. And a lot of people still thinking like this. So it's tricky.
You'll never you'll never know, and you'll never say something, you know, like, that could be proof. Yeah. I get that. Is the most of Russia older? Or is there a lot of gen z age people there? Gen z is more like, is bolder or like bolder, You know, like, each and every person, like, not like all of us, but a lot of people, are so open minded. Because, you know, like, our childhood and our education was connected to western culture, because to solve we're, like so open to different
franchises. Phil franchises like, animation Tv series. Like, just we were, like, a part of this cultural, western culture, you know. That's why we are... You know, people were seeing a lot of countries, different ways of living. And we were... We were not like Soviets, which were, like, so inside this country. Under this protection and stuff like that. That's why we are so open minded and sorry a lot of people from my country and from my age.
They are so open and they are definitely against to to Putin's policy. Mh But when we are talking about elderly, they are still being washed by Propaganda. Unfortunately, they are, you know, like, not that bolt, not that, you know, like, conscious. And they, yeah. They... The their are mines are, like, trash unfortunately. Yeah. They just... They're so used to a certain way of being. Yeah. For sure. And and almost every family got the person like this. My granny is like Bread washed, you know?
And they... Credit. Did you say Bread and divorced? But brain divorced. Oh, brain wise. I thought Bread divorced what grade? Oh my mom. I to put it. Like, old school. Have been awesome actually. But no. Unfortunately, she's brain washed by by propaganda by... This thing that I were talking about already. Yeah. We have a lot of that in this country as well. I think they've focused in on the elderly because they know that they can fill them with fear.
Older people are are afraid of a lot of things? Yeah. And there is another thing in Russia for sentiment. You know, it's like it's like a thing that makes, you feel great about getting to your roots getting to your history and stuff like that, like, it's actually living in your innocence or something? Makes sense. And it's like a huge part of Russian government. Like... Hey make Russia great again? Something like that. Yeah. Yeah. But even more worse, you know, like, even
worse. I mean, like, it's like not make russia great again, but, you know, like, let's Russia stay great Like, forever and never or something like that. Yeah. How did you decide to take the leap then to start making? Film. I mean, it sounds like you're going through a lot. Do you made the movies in Russia. Correct? No. My first 1 then was making Russia. Okay. Alright. Let's actually back in 20 21, and my second round, the par a strike, I made it last summer in Berlin.
It it was tough, but as a person from this, like, film community and being just famous. I could be trusted by these people with some money, I was pretty famous, and I I wasn't supposed. To disappear, you know, like, with this money, and I got a lot of connections in this film industry, like, a lot of friends or mine were actors or different production and costume designers and stuff like that, and I started to to, you know, like, get all the team together, and I just did that. Yeah. I got
this script. I got this person who trust me. I got these people around, and it just did that. Yeah. It's a beautiful film. It's so well shot. Thank you so much. And it was like, really big thing for me and still is. Because, you know, like, when you're filmmaker, you need to be exceptional in terms of your visual aspect. You know, a visual aspect of your mortgage because
it's like your job. And I... I'm so fascinated with this stuff, you know, like, with this filmmaker score, like, you know, like, vision, something like that. And and, yeah. Because of my journalism because of my fascination, the cinema, I was watching a lot. I'm still watching a lot. And I got this, like, really huge your experience. And sometimes you get something consciously, sometimes subconsciously, but it's building your film identity.
Your taste, your, like, great look or something like that. Because, you know, I just can't process. I just can't can't get this ugly look for movies. Even knowing that the movie could be like, low budget Movie. You could make amazing things with no money. Yeah. Yeah. It takes ingenuity. I know almost feel like My movie was low budget as well. And I feel like it forces you into court.
So stylish with me. Yeah as well. Because, you know, like, you you're just got this idea that you need to find the perfect location, good looking connectors. Good production design, explicitly allowed effects. And something like that. And you only just a film buff or something like that you, you know this for sure. Yeah. It's a it's a journey. What's your plan? What... What's next? I'm trying to develop 1 of this feature that already wrote wrote 2 features. And I got a lot
of ideas for different shirts. I'm, you know, like I'm hustling to find this money. I'm applying to different competition, you know, like, incubator and stuff like that, like different a lot of studios got some problems and stuff like that. Because, you know, like, I need to be delete. I need to be seen by people. I was... As I told you, was pretty famous in Russia, but there was nobody to the world. And at that moment, I needed to
establish my, you know, like, public image. And I'm doing well, but still, it's so slow process. Mh. And I'm trying to be, like malt task king, like, doing each and everything simultaneously. Because, you know, like, you never know each of these projects, you know, like, could be your first second or something like that or 1 connection could lead you to the other connection, and this connection could work. But the first 1 couldn't work out and
something like that. And so it's it's like a game, and I'm trying to get the rules of this game, but it's so tough so hard and I'm so dark because of, you know, like, these objective things around but I'm still trying to grab this thing, grab this, you know, like, idea that I'm talented that I e. I'm I'm really good direct fe because, you know, I got this idea I that I wasn't that well, journalists or something.
You're a great journalist. I read that that I put on my social media that you wrote for the Hollywood reporter, and I thought it was great. I mean, you're clearly an excellent writer on top of the other things. I'm curious. I think there would be a market if you were to write about your experience there for here I think people would definitely read them. Probably, But, you know, like, I'd rather the
bluetooth in my films. I get that. For example, my second feature that you're already wrote, it's about, you know, like, this personal experience this, you know, like... Being immigrant and facing American privileges and facing suicidal crisis, crisis, I'd rather put it in into my movies. And I hope I could make it and it could be marketable because, you know, like, sometimes when you're, like, I do know, like, at the same time clear dark and stuff like that, you could be... It could be tricky.
You know, I to get money because you're not bad kids, you're not bad, you know, like, calm and you're not that. You're not, creating the safe space for the people with money, but sometimes, I just I just can doing something else, Yeah. I totally understand that. Your films are dark, but they're... The underlying what's going on, The the true story of it. I mean, there's a story that is the story being fed to the consumer that they're eating.
And then as they're eating it, 1 hopes that they see that the whole meal. There's way more going on. And in my opinion, at least, dead end, especially, the part of the strike as well, but dead end really to me had such an intense theme about, judgment and family and expectation and self loa so much going on. And aside from him being twisty and so beautiful in in that darkness. And we're... We all have shadow, Mh And it's... For us, the creative, I
think it's important. We have a such a job to do to remind people that, yes, you do have these thoughts. This stuff does go on, and it's okay to talk about it, and it's okay to get it out because if we don't and you shove it down, Yeah. What support living? Exactly. Exactly. Thank you for this words. Yeah. It's so important to to put something in the crowd minds. I don't know. And but for me, it was just way
way of talking to people. It was like, I wanted to, you know, like, to tell my story through this, like, horror through this, you know, like, roller cost and something like that. But it was, like, really something really personal. That that was like my personal experience of being afraid of my ex. And
yeah. And also, it was, like, a part of this mis miscommunication in Russia because, you know, like, we got a lot of parents that are not supporting in terms of your, like, identities, different identities, not only being queer but also being, you know, like, sensitive, being, like, being yourself. Yeah. That's why, you know, like, probably that was like,
so intense. Mh. As you know, like, there are so many themes but them I'm... I I I'm from the country with, like, greatly and a lot of, you know, like, metaphor layers of this, you know, like, ideas and stuff like that. And I just wanted to, you know, like, to keep this movement. Yeah. So to stay in this field. And I hope I will they'll do that, you know, Like put my next films as well.
I don't doubt that at all. Yeah. But, you know, like, we got a lot of a lot of novel lists and boy and, like, all of them are you know, like, we're making be beautiful art. And Unfortunately, we lost a lot of passion last years, but still a lot of Russian authors are really great you know, like, even nowadays. And now a lot of them are brought and trying to keep doing art as well. Yeah. Different fields. Like, we got a lot of musicians abroad, like, novel
like filmmakers. Like mh. Yeah. Tell me about how you got through your crisis. I'm still getting for that. I I do know. I'm I'm just trying to to do art. I'm just trying writing. I'm just trying you know, like, filming something and applying to different, you know, like, labs and stuff like that's meeting to the festivals going to the festivals, meeting different amazing people are key. And people could make you stay alive.
Yeah. And probably it's like our, like, really good capital, you know, like, really good value. And especially in this, you know, like, genre community, each and every person as you saw actually. Each and every person is so, like, I do know like warm, kind, nice, here, like, these people, the finest people in the world, because all of them are considering themselves as outsiders. And when you're an outsider, you're getting closer to that outsider. Right?
And, you know, like, you need to be crazy to do filmmaking, especially genre filmmaking. You need to to be so into it. Just to stay here, just, you know, like, not to quit. Was beautifully said, what I love about horror is is how layered it is. How much is being said. I mean, some people might go to the movie and they just say, oh, slash or somebody's dropping dead or whatnot. But there's... There's so much to it saw is a great
example. The very first, Yeah. For sure. And I kinda locate this term elevated horror because, you know, A Cora was elevated like, every time, you know, there is a book called, oh my god. It came from the closet, something like that. And it's about clear perspective on horror. It's a bunch of essays from different queer people. But trans people like, gay people and stuff like that. People like that. This we're a little horror, career take horror.
It's not about, you know, a special special part of, you know, like, queer horror or something like that. It's like, take on, like, horror in general, like, joss, like, like, you know, Carrie, and films like this. And I love this idea that probably each and every horror movie god like we are theme with them, you know? And we could say say that about, you know, like, each and everything that, you know, like, under the third. Like, Jordan Pill, like get out. It's about, you know, like,
right? Racism, and it's about, you know, like, a lot of things besides the being this roller cost in the Sc field, you know. Oh, yeah. Yeah. And and... That's the beauty of art. Music, movies poetry is again, the creative is saying or showing something so that other people can come and see themselves in it. And find solace and find connection and feel like they're not alone. And I think that that That's the best part of it. Yeah. Yeah.
Of course. When you're in my position, like, going through this crisis alone, like, I lost my friends family and people around. And, you know, like, I got no fields to hide. I got this, you know, like, film thing, like Horror. And, you know, like, this horror world could be, like the perfect safe space. Because, you know, like, even being scary, it's not as scary as a real world. Yeah. Do you get to stay in contact with your mom?
Yeah. For sure. We are calling each other each and every day, probably. And, yeah, we're trying to, you know ice. Stay close even being far in that company. Yeah. Yeah. Tell people how they might find you. Yeah. I got my Instagram account, Paul is this is me, you know, like, Dino Barge, and also, I got my Twitter, and it it would be secret saint on Twitter. Yep. So I'm pretty pretty open to be reached out, you know? Yeah. Absolutely. And I'll put links on hey human podcast
dot com. Thank you so much for spending some time with me and talking about your story. Yeah. Thank you for having me. Thank you for, you know, your your time and this opportunity you know, like, it's so so important to share the story like mine. It's not like as my situation at all. It's like the thing that the world right now, is is ruining. The world is not the best place right now. But all of this works like Ukraine, like Taiwan, like Palestine,
like a lot of things. And, like American policy right now, by politics. I mean, because, you know, like, I couldn't even imagine that I could end up as a refugee live boat. When I was, like, person in Moscow, 4 or 5 years ago, for me, being a refugee, it's like being a person from Africa or something like that, or Iran. But, you know, like, when you got this request for privileges, you got this almost Phd behind. And you're ending up as a are huge, it's kinda wow experience.
Yeah. Sometimes people just need to think about this more. I agree. I, it's... Frustrating the rhetoric around political refugee, war torn refugee, the people that are coming into the country, any country for that matter. I mean, they they like to... The rhetoric likes to concentrate it on the, oh, it's all criminals. No. It's stuck and nurses and psychiatrists and pharmacists and teachers and writers and beautiful interest staying creative humans.
Oh, sure. And, you know, sometimes when you just speaking more than 1 languages. You just couldn't be considered as a refugee or, you know, like, person in in danger or something like that. They... These people, you know, like, on social media, just or, like, public image, and you're gonna, like, that you are, like, fancy person still. But we are going through, yeah, you know, a dark shared where, you know, this migration system with this paperwork with this, you know, like, apartment
looking or something like that. And, yeah. Yes. This this way of cleaning is kinda tricky. Yeah. Yeah. You're doing really well. I know it's hard. I can only imagine what it is to go through it. But you've got a friend of me so So much. And, like, what I really appreciate that. Because, you know, like, as I told you, people, it's like our main value. Yeah. It takes all of us in my humble opinion. And I'm excited because you're gonna come meet some really cool people on Thursday.
I hope so. Hope. Yeah. Yeah. I so Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you so much. You might I really appreciate it, and thank you for listening everybody. Thank you so much. Yeah. Thank you. Bye bye. Great review and subscribe to hey human podcast on itunes or wherever you get your podcast Thanks. Bye.