What is the best thing that I love about my work? I am an actrice. I love the illimited freedom that my job procures. Every contract is a new challenge with unlimited possibilities. My job is a big playground, it is never boring, on the contrary, it is so exciting.

What is my idea of happiness? Happiness is in my hands. Happiness is just like a muscle…you can train it. Enjoy small things This mentality makes your life so much easier and so much more sublime. Everyday is a gift. Happiness is a state of mind. Try to live the best life you can. Transform everyday into a masterpiece. See the beauty in a stormy weather. LOVE WHAT IS.

What is my greatest fear? I had a huge depression at the age of 40, with daily anxiety crisis. In order to live, I had to face my fears and overcome them, I knew that this is the only way out of my depression. So I changed all my vision about fears. Today I am so grateful that I had this depression. As I say, MY BELOVED DEPRESSION. Today I call FEAR=Feel Excited And Ready. Tremble but dare. Evrytime you let your fear dominate you, the fear gets stronger and it will dominate you even more…..so the only way out, overcome your fears. So, my today’s slogan is, call your fears and venture.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? I try to love everything about myself. Even my flaws and weaknesses. They are my friends…My jealousy teaches me that I don’t trust myself fully, so it guides me toward the next challenge to become confident. My laziness shows me that I am not clear about my next project. Or sometimes it is sooooo delightful to be lazy and I allow myself to be lazy….when it is well deserved after a long week of work.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? Of course I have a list of actors, whose talent, work, courage I admire. Yet I prefer the ones who have somehow atypical stories or who have shown huge courage to overcome their difficulties. Such as Charlize Theron (who saw his father being shot in front of her), and who is so beautiful, talented, and who has become admirable producer of films that defend women causes. Or Oprah Winfrey, who is such an example to follow and whose videos i listen to weekly.

What is my greatest extravagance? I spend all my extra money on travelling (without any shame). It might be seen as an extravagance, cause I know I have aluthorized myself so much more than average people do…..and I don’t regret a second of it, on the contrary, I do everything to give myself means to jump on a next adventure, discover the world, people, the beauty of the world and I am so grateful for all these amazing adventures that I have already had in my life. When I travelled in Italy,, the rule we set with my boyfriend, was that we had to take the first train everytime we reached the statiion, no matter where the train took us. I call it a very delicious extravagance.

On what occasion would I lie? This the hardest question for me. I still struggle with lying and I would love to say that I don’t lie, but I do. Yet I lie rather small things. Mostly to please people. When my boyfriend has taken 2 hours to cook for me and it is delightfully disgusting, for example….this is my last lie…So Instead of saying i don’t like it, I said the dish was interesting::::)))))

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? I know actors who have been so successful and then have no work for long periods. I know actors who have thought about suicides, because of that. I have got accustomed to this difficulty now, yet it is the most difficult and I would say dangerous aspect of this profession.
The positive aspect of that, is that i had to become so much stronger “thanks to” this unstability, cause I had to find means in order to bear it I would have never guessed that I can be so resourceful and that I can push my limites so much further. Every time I was turned down, it taught me how to raise up again, or how to handle failure.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? When I played with Matt Damon, with Jason Statham, Adam Driver or other big French stars. Though, what makes me particulary happy, is when I manage to amaze the audience, transform my scene into an unexpected surprise, satisfy the director. I have been lucky enough to experience this. it is so delightful.

If I could, what would I change about myself? Nothing.

What is my greatest achievement in work?It has happened many times, that the audience come to thank me or people say, they are honored to know me. I have made people cry. I have had letters of gratitude.
And I think the greatest achievement is, that I have never given up (completly::::)))) In spite of the difficulties, I always searched for a solution, way out.

Where would I most like to live? So this is, the sequel to the last question. When I was « blacklisted » in Russia, I sent my CV to the universities in the whole world and the Sorbonne in Paris was the first one to answer. What a coincidence…..it is my dream city and here I have been living here for 20 years now.

What is my most treasured possession? I think that my most treasured possession is a mysterious blue ring I carry and I can’t tell the secret about this jewel. One day I would love to reveal how I got this ancient very valuable and sublime saphire, but I will do it in a novel, so if you want to know the secret, you will have to buy my book::::)))))

What is my most marked characteristic? I have been through shit, yet I smell roses. When I was 5 or 6, i was abandoned. It caused a lot of traumas, that I had to deal with, yet I have come so much more intresting and more valuable person, thanks to this roller coaster life. I try not to judge anybody and I have a lot of empathy for anybody who struggles, in order to stay decent and keep standing up.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? As I didn’t have any parents to help me either financially, or morally, I had to find a way how to survive, how to rent a flat in Paris. In Paris you have to prove that you have a comfortable salary, in order to rent a flat. So I admit that I lied, I did fake papers and I got to live in a dream flat just next to Louvre. Even if I had to do completly shitty jobs, in order to pay my rent…..I had a feeling that I was a priviledged princess who lived in a palace, inspite of the tiredness, or hard jobs i had to endure in order to pay the rent. After long and hard days of work, I came home through the yards of Louvre…I gave myself all the means to realize my dream.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? I am an Epicurean. So I know the best restaurants in Paris, just ask, either Thai, or Japanese or French. In Paris, this list is endless.

What books influenced my life and how?
First: « 100 years of solitude », for its outstanding style, but also the message of this book and its unexpected ending.

Second : »Animal Farm ». I read it when I was 12 , first I banged the book against the wall and second, I cried 2 weeks in a row.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Either something very spiritual, that would raise my frequency and prepare me for my next after life adventure. Or something very merry, cause all my friends know, I want happy funerals, with a party, where dancing is highy recommended.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Uglydugly. It is so universal. I felt myself as an uglydugly. My sisters very so successful. A doctor and a mathematician and I was such a lousy student. I definitly felt myself as a shame for my parents. I owe so much to my shrink who transformed me into this swan, who discovers her beauty…..I hope that all human beings should find their beauty and most important, their inner beauty.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? Anybody who stands up, no matter the difficulty and shines.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? There is a long list. But may i name some. « Fasten », cause it is so daring. « Game » cause it is so intelligent. « « Intouchable » cause it gives you an example.

What role play stories in my life and work? It is the key of humanity. How we interpret reality. What is the story of my life? Is it an example or is it uninteresting.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? It is the sequel to your previous question. I want to tell my life in a most passionate way possible.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My boyfriend. We have been through thick and thin. Travelled the world and been each others support no matter what.

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2022? I want to work with Paolo Sorrentino. LVMH. HBO. David Fincher. Charlize Theron. Oprah Winfrey. Matthew Mcconaughey  I would like to do international projects.
People who are not only professionals, but are passionate about spirituality and trying to make this world a better place.

What project, in 2022, am I looking forward to work on? The one that i can’t tell you about. Top secret. But also the ones that I know are in store for me….the ones that are eyond my expectation. I know that universe suprises me more than I can Imagine.

Where can you see me or my work in 2022? You can still see me in the film with Adam Driver, « Annette ».

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? That when you are passionate about something, your work is a pleasure and not a burden.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?
I invite you to see the work of Laughing Seabird.
Karin Swenson.
Lou Sarda
Kim Jean L