TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE

by Noam Gonick

SYNOPSIS

Leading up to the Olympics in Sochi, a law banning “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors” was passed in Russia. Gay Olympians were confronted with a tough decision: whether to protest
in defense of their Russian comrades or compete in silence.

Popular figure skater Johnny Weir was challenged to come out against the country he’d loved since childhood. Narrated by Jane Lynch, To Russia with Love takes viewers inside the Russian Open Games - a daring gay sports tournament held in Moscow three days after the Olympics - which was thwarted by authorities at every turn.

Tennis champ Billie Jean King meets teen activist Vladislav Slavskiy who lives a besieged life in Sochi. With the participation of athletes Greg Louganis, Mark Tewksbury, Jason Collins, actor and activist Stephen Fry and New Yorker Editor David Remnick.

DETAILS

80 mins

2014

USA

Russian, English

CREDITS

Director: Noam Gonick

Narrator: Jane Lynch

Producers: Jill Burkhart, Howard Gertler, Elle Flanders

Executive Producers: Laura Michalchyshyn, Johnny Weir

Co-Producer: Laina Cohn

BIOGRAPHY

DIRECTOR - NOAM GONICK

With a focus on uprisings, sexuality and cross-cultural expression that collapses genre, Noam Gonick has premiered scripted & documentary film at Venice, Berlin, TIFF and Sundance festivals, winning awards at Hot Docs and Inside/Out. His sculptural video installations have exhibited in art museums and biennales, and he has created prominent public artwork. His work has been released theatrically, streamed worldwide on Netflix, broadcast internationally, and collected by MoMA and the National Gallery of Canada. A member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Artists, Gonick lectured on his work at London’s Serpentine Gallery.

SELECT FESTIVALS

GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS 2015 - NOMINEE OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY AWARD〡THESSALONIKI 2015〡FRAMELINE 2015〡INSIDE OUT 2015

PRESS

"The flamboyant figure skater stars in a searing new documentary that reminds us that, long after the Olympics are over, more—much more—must be done to help Russia’s oppressed gays."
- Daily Beast