Posts Tagged "life"
Stalin Jokes with Lenin
Moscow Portrait: One popular Russian film goes by the title "Irony of Fate," something that could be applied to Sasha's life. Born in Perm in the Urals, he said he served nine years in part for anti-communist actions. Now he makes a living portraying the man who personifies of Russian communism: Lenin.
Latif: Stalin Imitator from Georgia
Latif was a big-rig driver, hauling goods, including wine from his native Georgia and apples from Iran to Russia. He said his work travels also included Germany. For the past five years though, he has been hanging around Red Square dressed as Stalin, earning about 100 rubles per photo with eager tourists. Latif says he goes home every two months for two weeks at a time to see family. The father of four said his wish is simple - to see his children and grand children do well. When he hangs up his Stalin costume for good, he says he will likely head back home to his native village in Georgia.
Milena: Teenage Dog Lover
Moscow Portrait: I noticed Milena in the crowded metro earlier in the year due to her very colorful, original style. We met recently to take some photos. Hard of hearing, she has no relatives aside from her father. Thus, her Shar Pei dog is a very important part of her life. In addition to fashion and shopping, she loves taking photos with her friends.
Pyotr: Engineer Turned Portrait Drawer
It's a story I have heard hundreds of times over the years from Russians older than 40, but it still touches me nonethless.....I asked Pyotr how he began working as a portrait artist. He said he was working as an engineer in the late 1980s but "was forced to by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the economy" to find some other means of taking care of his family. Petr said he would take his son, then a small child, with him occasionally to the pedestrian street or park where he drew.
Bozhena: Mother of Five
You rarely see middle-aged, Russian women dressed like this. Thus, I thought Bozhena may have an interesting story to tell. She said she lived in a small, historic town in Russia's Northwest with her husband and five children. A painful divorce left her with nothing, so she moved to Moscow, got a job, earned a decent salary and brought 4 of her 5 children to the city (the other wanted to stay with dad). The high cost of credit (double figures for mortgages) and nominal rise in Moscow home prices has hampered her ability to buy a flat, so she continues to rent.
North Caucasus Migrant Worker
Why are you taking photos?" he asked rather suspiciously as I photographed my homeless neighbor Rasul. I thought I was in for some trouble. I explained my story and then said ' I would llovevto take your photo as well." He refused, but continued to ask me questions. We discussed the USA, NYC and Russia. After 15 minutes, he said I could take his photo and he told me his story - one that I have heard a dozen times. He comes to Moscow regularly by car from the economically depressed North Caucasus to work for weeks or months at a time, sending the earnings home to his wife and children. His dream was to earn enough to by a 'decent car.' I asked if the dream was materializing. "It's not really working out - everything here is expensive, especially food that I barely have something to send home.
