W
hy was it important for you to
make a documentary about
gay life in Russia?
There was a lot of attention to this
issue prior to the Olympics, and
that attention must continue. The
world has seen bits and pieces, but we don’t have
the full picture of what the LGBT community in
Russia is go ing through. That’s what I hope to show
in my film.
Many of the people you spoke to seemed to
find talking about their experiences
difficult, particularly Anton Krasovsky who
famously came out on air and was fired by
his employers. He, it seemed could barely
look you or the camera in the eye.
Do you think he regrets the decision to come
out?
Yes, it’s very difficult for people to talk about being
oppressed, persecuted and dealt with unfairly. I
know it very well as it’s difficult for me to talk about
my own experiences as well.
He definitely does not regret it. At least that’s what
he told me.
Was it harrowing to hear about people’s
experiences?
To me it was more harrowing to hear how popular
these laws are in Russia among the ordinary people
on every level and to know that there is no end to it
and no hope. That’s something that I always think
about when I hear their stories. What they went
through is something they, and others, will continue
to go through.
Are governments outside Russia asserting
enough pressure on Putin to ease off on the
anti-gay laws? Is there anything more they
could do?
Outside governments are not applying any pressure
at all. This is the wrong impression that people
have. Unfortunately, the west is dependent on
Russia’s natural resources. For the western
government oil and gas, are priorities. Gays and
civil rights are not.
You may know him
as the King Of
Porn, having built
up an empire called
Lucas
Entertainment.
Russian born,
Israeli by parentage
and American by
heart Michael
Lucas is in the
midst of a rebrand.
King of the
documentary. We
catch up with Mr.
Lucas to talk about
what’s on his mind
and the power of
the camera.
AUG / SEPT 2014 | THEGAYUK 43