Akhtem SEITABLAIEV: “The lot of our country is being decided in the east”

Seitablaiev came to the interview right from the location where Her Heart was being shot. His new work is dedicated to Saide Arifova, a courageous Crimean Tatar girl who saved the lives of 90 Jewish children twice. First she saved them from the Nazis, and then from the NKVD agents during the 1944 deportation. That is why the interview started with the painful theme of the Russia-annexed Crimea, where Seitablaiev’s two adult children and other family members remained. The actor will not conceal his civic position, he actively supports the troops in the ATO. Together with Ada Rohovtseva and Katia Stepankova he was one of the first to go to the front to support the soldiers and civilians, who had looked death in the eye. He is involved in the volunteer movement, he has hosted the TV program Brave Hearts, and his next future project is the movie Cyborgs about the heroic defenders of the Donetsk Airport. We had a frank conversation about the most sensitive themes for him: movies and life.

ABOUT CRIMEA

Maryna BARBA: “What do you think needs to be done with the pro-Russian majority on the Crimean peninsula to make sure that Crimea returns to Ukraine sooner?”

A.S.: “I think that the current situation in Ukraine, in particular in Crimea and in the east, is caused by an absolute absence of a cultural strategy in our state. The language question is painful, it has to be solved, but not by the methods which the Freedom Party suggests.

“It is a pity that during all the years of independence our leaders have been dividing society on the national, ethnic, and language basis. And Crimean Tatars have been pariahs altogether. Just some three or four years ago eight out of ten respondents would answer something like this, when asked who Crimean Tatars are: ‘They live in small houses, they are permanently angry about something, and they want Crimea to join Turkey.’ Today Crimea, annexed by the Kremlin’s ‘green men,’ remains a festering wound. I would like to remind that 18 out of 28 political prisoners held by the Russian Federation are Crimean Tatars! By the way, the first victim for the independence of Crimea after its annexation is also a Crimean Tatar, Reshat Akhmetov. On February 26, 2014, 15,000 Crimean Tatars demonstrated outside the Verkhovna Rada with Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar flags. Also, we must not forget several acts of self-immolation by Crimean Tatars who protested against the government depriving them from land in their fatherland. It was necessary to walk this path to finally realize that Crimean Tatars are no enemies, but the citizens of the same country, and they want to live here, in Ukraine.

“For some reason it was often said in this country that the east is populated with scum, the west with some ‘westerners’ and Banderaites, who only pursue their own interests, the north with pro-Russian population, and the south with Crimean Tatars, who dream of tearing the country apart. In my opinion, someone was dividing us purposefully according to the ancient principle ‘divide and rule,’ because it is much easier to fish in troubled waters and profit from it.

“In a well-educated society, where citizens can provide for themselves and their children, where they have health insurance, their minds will be preoccupied with other things. They will start reading Lesia Ukrainka and Lina Kostenko, studying the constitution, and learning about their rights and responsibilities. And then, they will not like litter on the streets. Or they will realize that a member of parliament neglects his or her duties. Why the bill on abolishing parliamentary immunity was never passed? Because half of the MPs can go direct behind bars. They become MPs not in order to serve their nation, but just to get a free hand in pursuing their own business interests. We must bear in mind that many top officials were proteges of our north-eastern neighbor, starting with the defense minister, head of the security service, and so on. This is totally absurd.

“I am quite a radical person and I hold quite harsh views concerning separatists, both in Crimea and in the east. I believe that the movies, literature, theater, art, and journalist investigations could say much more and build stronger bridges to hold the nation together. After Haytarma I was often asked: ‘Has this movie helped in reeducating people? Do they realize now that Crimean Tatars are the holiest people on earth?’ No! It is impossible to change the entire worldview by means of just one movie. But I sincerely believe that if someone in a complicated situation suddenly remembers an episode from a movie, a book, or a newspaper, or a photograph, it will help him refrain from assaulting another only because that other sang the anthem of his country. I am absolutely convinced that patriotism must be instilled from early childhood. Animation films, children’s literature, and environment all work together to shape human conscience.

“I support the ideas of transferring the supreme jurisdiction of all Ukrainian courts to, say, the court in London for 20 years, until young people like you come to power. I am absolutely convinced that the country must be run by 30 or 35-year-olds with brilliant education. Each penny, invested in culture and education, will bring a hundredfold return.

“I believe that passing a bill on promoting cinematography is a priority. It could become a powerful tool for producing Ukrainian senses without imposition and bloodshed: the senses of renovation and orientation towards European values.”

ON THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE

Oksana VOITKO: “In one of your interviews you said that you cannot go to Crimea, even if your two children remain there. What kind of sentiments prevail in Crimea now?”

A.S.: “Practically all of my kin and kith, which is more than 1,000 people, remain in Crimea. I have not been to Simferopol after the annexation. The sentiments there vary. I have heard a lot of arguments from my friends and opponents concerning the return of Crimea to Ukraine. The pro-Russian lobby there is indeed very strong. You must not forget that Crimea has long been a sort of citadel of communists, as well as one of the ‘oldest’ regions of Ukraine in what concerns the proportion of old-age pensioners. Moreover, it was a subsidized region, although money could be made not only on health resorts and tourism, but also on cinematography. It would mean huge infrastructure, attracting tourists to filming sites, and a free economic zone – but not the kind which exists there now.

“Firstly, I would ban voting for people over 60 by law in Crimea. They had their say already, in the so-called ‘referendum.’ Both Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars have a tradition of respecting the old. But I am sure that those oldies have taken leave of their senses. They refuse to accept that their young years will never return, and they cling to the ‘ghost of communism’ which leads everyone into a trap. By making this choice, the pensioners have deprived their grandchildren of a future! Crimean schools give out certificates which are not recognized. Children should ask their grandfathers and grandmothers: ‘Are you happy that in a couple of years your grandchild will want to travel abroad, and will not be able to?’ They yelled ‘Russia, come here! Putin, come here!’ but now they are all looking for loopholes to let their children study in Europe. Thus a person whose life is nearing its end deprives his children of a choice. By what right?

“Secondly, the command of the Ukrainian language must be obligatory. You might be a citizen of Ukraine, but if you do not know the Ukrainian language and the history of this country, you must not vote! Go and live in the country you do like. And although I am Russian-speaking (learning Ukrainian extensively at the moment), I am convinced that anyone who wants to live here must know the official language. You don’t like it? Get packed and off to Russia.

“I have not been to Crimea for two years already. I know that as soon as I set foot there, I will be arrested by the FSB. Thanks God, my family come over to visit. I do not conceal my civic position. Brave Hearts, Haytarma (which is banned in the Russian Federation), as well as my unreserved opinion of Vladimir Putin, all of this has contributed. You know, Crimea is very small, and even if you do not know someone personally, you will all the same know all the characters making up the so-called Crimean government. One of those figures, nicknamed Goblin (Sergey Aksyonov), who had for years racketeered pay toilets, led the Russian Unity Party, and in 2013 garnered a mere 1 percent of votes in Sevastopol, the most pro-Russian city in Crimea. Speaking of collaborators among Crimean Tatars, they are in fact not so numerous. In principle, this is a layer of degenerates who will cozy up to any regime. An analysis of the composition of the incumbent Crimean government will show that who used to be called the Party of Regions have become United Russia. The inhabitants of Crimea say that themselves.

“I am worried about my family, particularly about my children. At the same time, I am very proud of them.”

ON HEROES

Maryna SNIZHYNSKA: “Why didn’t Brave Hearts get high viewing rates? Maybe people simply do not want any connection with the events in the east because there is too much negative information on television? What kind of TV programs do we need?”

A.S.: “Nowadays we need to invent new programs which would help ATO veterans to find a place in peaceful life. Personally for me, Brave Hearts means a whole new stage in my life. I met a huge number of people who are true heroes. They are very open and sincere. Young soldiers have a very clear idea of what they are fighting for, why they went to the front, and what kind of country they want to return to. I believe that Ukraine would not exist without volunteers! On the other hand, a section of society lives as if in a parallel reality. I absolutely do not accept the views propagated by some Ukraine-based artists, who say that ‘culture and politics do not overlap.’ Lies and deceit, that is what it is. If you are a public person and believe that the boys dying in the east have nothing to do with you, and you are prepared to tour and make money in the aggressor country, this is as base as can be. Why did Marlene Dietrich leave Nazi Germany to sing for the Allies? When you meet our troops you feel proud that there are such patriots who are ready to sacrifice themselves for Ukraine. True, I heard them blaming the stupid command, treacherous actions, or problems with supplies. Yet they defend their fatherland despite everything. Various programs are necessary, but they must carry hope and acquaint the audience with the nation’s best people.”

ON CINEMATOGRAPHY

Olena KURENKOVA: “What is your opinion of the current state of Ukrainian cinematography? Which major themes do you consider to be the key ones?”

A.S.: “We need to challenge ourselves. For instance, with conquering Hollywood and winning an Oscar. I made all of my movies with private funding. Now I am getting help from the government-funded agency, Derzhkino. I have just finished location shooting for Her Heart, which is a working title. The movie will most probably be called Saide, after the main female character. Following the work of my fellow directors and the activities of the expert commission members, I realize that the movies of the past two years are often based on the themes of war and the search for a Ukrainian hero.

“Our country is changing, many things are being reinterpreted. Today we see a kind of renaissance of Ukraine’s cinematography. But when it comes to the television product, we often see replicas and periphrases. However, this will pass, we must invent something of our own, something original. There are huge numbers of stories now, based on war as well on other themes. Some are melodramatic, some are lyrical. I am also going to make a movie about the war, about our cyborgs. We received the highest score for feature films (the script was written by Natalia Vorozhbyt). The protagonists are based on real people whom I know in person. One was my fellow student. His call sign is Boheme, and he is the spokesman for the Right Sector. Then there also is Yevhen Dukov aka Marshall from the 93rd Airmobile Brigade, who texted ‘I’m fine’ from under the debris of the Donetsk Airport while having fractured legs and crashed ribs. Now he commands the Ukrainian patrol police. We have something to be proud of. Each man or woman who went to the front has their own reasons. One soldier got a call from his wife and said, ‘Honey, it’s quiet here.’ Meanwhile, he was stationed at the airport. He did not want his wife to know that he was at the front. You feel like laughing and crying at the same time.”

FILM SAGA ABOUT SAIDE

Khrystyna PETRENKO: “What prompted the idea of Her Heart, the movie about Saide? Who plays the main character? When is the movie to be released?”

A.S.: “I learned about Saide Arifova from the film’s producer. During the World War Two this Crimean Tatar girl from Bakhchysarai saved some 90 children, most of them Jewish. The story is unique in that first Saide rescued the children from the Nazis, making them believe that those were Crimean Tatar kids, inventing false names and backgrounds. She withstood interrogations by the Gestapo but she did not break. And on May 18, 1944, when Crimean Tatars were deported, Saide showed their birth certificates which she had preserved, to NKVD officers, proving that the children were Jewish, and thus saved them a second time. I would like to remind that a half of the Crimean Tatar people did not survive the deportation, 49 percent perished over just two weeks, mostly old women and children. Meanwhile, even Soviet reports show that almost all male Crimean Tatar population fought in the Red Army during World War Two. Yes, there were collaborators, but they were few.

“I picked my characters among the Crimean Tatars. At first I wanted my daughter to play Saide. She is a wonderful actress with lots of experience, but she did not fit the part. That is why the protagonist is played by the Ukrainian actress Lilia Yatsenko. Only when she had been approved for the part, I learned that she has Crimean Tatars in the family.

“Our filming crew is quite international: we have actors from Israel, Georgia, Ukraine, Austria, and Germany. When they all start speaking at once, it’s a babel of tongues: they are all arguing in various languages while I realize that I understand them all!

“I hope that the postproduction of the movie will be ready before the year is out. We still have to work on location in Jerusalem. Something has already been shot in Georgia, because making such a movie in Crimea is out of the question now. In mass scenes Georgian children took part, and one of the main parts was played by Irakli Apakidze, a great actor.”

PERFORMING IN THE ATO ZONE

Maria MATIAZH: “Together with Ada Rohovtseva and Kateryna Stepankova you were one of the first artists to perform in the ATO zone. What are your impressions of those encounters?”

A.S.: “We went to Sloviansk with a concert program which Ada Rohovtseva dubbed ‘With My Beloved Ones.’ These were fragments of plays, Ukrainian poetry (Lesia Ukrainka, Lina Kostenko and others), clips from movies and informal communication with the audiences. We performed to full house everywhere. In each city our concerts ended in three-hour-long conversations. It felt like people needed to talk, in particular to Rohovtseva. Because she is a mother. Ada is heavenly! She may look fragile, but she is a woman of great spirit, even if she could be very harsh at times. It feels like an ice breaker is going before her. For people in the east it is very important to be heard, they share their pain. Ada enjoys authority, she is widely loved by the audience, they trust her.

“Young soldiers’ eyes are quite different. I had seldom seen so much buoyancy and love of life as I saw there. They clearly know where life and death are. At the Right Sector canteen I met a man with two university degrees, who spoke three foreign languages. Why did he go to war? At first I thought that the guy failed to find his place in life, but it turned out that he had had a great life and went to the front because he is a patriot. Now the lot of our country is being decided in the east, and it is thanks to the ATO troops that the plague of ‘Russian world’ is stopped. This is where you realize that Ukraine will win thanks to these heroes.”

It will be recalled that Den’s Summer School of Journalism is held this year with support of the NATO Information and Documentation Center.