“Aida” trailer, 2023, 07:04 min
“Aida” is the last part of my trilogy and the most recent work I completed. In a fictional and dysfunctional dynamic, the film enacts the emotional body of a schematic, monotonous life arising from human clashes, speculations, and moral conflicts. The story encapsulates the world of immigrants from the former Soviet Union and their loved ones that they have left behind. We can hear myself reading my grumpy grand mother’s letters, expressing longing and great anger, while seeing my father’s attempt for a better life in a foreign country.
October 1991
"...My dear, why haven’t I received letters for so long? Why aren’t you writing to me? My son, I understand that you don’t like to write and that you’re tired, but please write me just one letter a month, I won’t be offended. I’m very worried, how are you there, what’s new, where are you working, are you working or not? Vitaly isn’t working. My dear, by the time you get this letter, your birthday will have arrived. I want to congratulate you in advance, wishing you all the best in the world, that you and Rima will live happily, bringing joy to us all. Something unclear is happening here with money; they brought me 200 coupons, and I need to manage with them for the whole month. Prices are outrageous. Don’t think I’m complaining, I’m just writing so you know what’s going on here. There’s a terrible hunger, I almost have no supplies left at home, for now I’m managing, but once they run out, I’ll be in trouble. In the market, they ask for coupons, dollars. They’re talking about changing the currency to the hryvnia. I’m feeling very bad, my son, both mentally and financially, let’s see what happens. I’m very sick, my son, it’s hard for me to work, I have no strength to go to work, I’m falling off my feet and have no other choice. How is your Hebrew? Have you already learned it, or not? I don’t meet your friends, they don’t contact me. They were all nice when you were here. Igor brought me supplies only once, and hasn’t come again. Rimochka, please tell me, do they broadcast our Russian news edition where you are? Or not? Write to me."
January 1992
"...I received the newspaper and was very disappointed to see you in it. Why have you become so different? I don't recognize you, my son. I approved for you to go for a better life, and what is actually happening? You’re fighting against the Arabs. Why do you need this? What, are you tired of living? Thank God, it ended like this. How do you know it won’t happen again? You know that there will never be peace in this country. Why stay there, my son? Come home. They are allowing it now. Gorbachev is leaving it. Many people are writing that things are bad there, if it’s not good there, come back home. They took you for a better life, and what is actually happening? What’s more expensive, life itself or Israel? I understand that you wash dishes, work hard, I understand everything, it’s temporary. But to fight against the Arabs? Forgive me. You didn’t leave for that. You’re hiding everything from me, I don’t know what’s going on there. From your letter, I understand that there’s nothing for us to look for there, but how will I live without you? Seryozha, I feel like we’ll never meet again. I foresaw this, but none of you considered that I am also a mother. I have a heart that hurts too. I never thought you would abandon me. If you wanted to go, we should have gone together. I’m not afraid of hard work. But none of you wanted that. There’s nothing more to say, the train has passed. You wrote to me that you can’t advise me whether to go or not. It’s not clear to me. What are you trying to say? If we need to go, then we’ll go, if not, then not. I want to hear your opinion, don’t be shy, write to me, I won’t be offended. No need to go in circles. I would like you to come home."
January 1992
"...My son, I called you, but you weren’t home, as always. Igor brought me supplies. Two chickens, 4 kilos of meat, two sausages, thank you very much to him. And mostly, thank you, my son, for not leaving me without help. Now, write to me what to do, when should I sell everything, what should I take with me, and what will be unnecessary. Check, my son, do I need to fill out the 60 at your place or ours? They told me it’s at yours. I am very happy that you want to buy good things, you’re young, it’s necessary. You wanted to buy a television, did you buy it? Zita got used to us quickly, everyone loves her. She eats everything. The little barrel got so fat. She eats cooked meat, fried fish, porridges, soups, potatoes, carrots, peaches, and even watermelon. Now I will write about the situation here, in Moscow there was a coup, they wanted to overthrow Gorbachev and arrested his entire government. The people rose up, and they released tanks. Three boys were killed. In Kiev, they’re taking down the Lenin monument in Riwaliutsia Square. What’s happening is frightening, every day there are demonstrations. Seryozha, as soon as you left, Vasya didn’t call me. But Vika called a few days ago, she asked for your number, but I didn’t give it to her, I didn’t know what to do. They haven’t called again. My son, I want to consult with you, there’s an option to buy our apartment, should I leave it behind when I leave? If so, it should be done in advance, I won’t do anything without your answer. I miss you very much, my son, I feel bad without you. We didn’t meet often here, but you were at home. And now I don’t know when we’ll meet. Write to me if you like the place, do you miss me?"