Fwad. He is a Russian screenwriter who went to UCLA Film School with Marius. Julia Klimenko. She works for KinoTraffic, the company producing Marius' film, and just upstairs of our editing room. Me. I'm here editing a movie. Pasha. Pasha is the star of Marius' movie. He has a certain Chaplinesque quality and is truly hilarious in the part.
Three of the above are writers. Hint, not Pasha. While Fwad and I dabble in the screen trade, Julia is more interested in politics and foreign relations. In the above photo she looks more like a schpion (spy). In fact, she's really more of a Russian Annie Hall.
Many of today's Russians like to party like it's 1999. Still in the afterglow of the collapse of the Soviet Union, central Moscow is awash in nightclubs, bars, upscale restaurants and lots and lots of chasing lights. Oh. And karaoke.
Karaoke clubs are like drug stores around here. They're everywhere. Which is not unusual, I suppose. We had tried to get into two other places but they were either filled to capacity or booked out to private parties. Armed guards stand at the entrances, usually large, grim-faced men in black who regard your desire to come in with suspicion and dismay.
Finally, native son Marius prevailed at a place called Scream and we were led through an Escher-like system of stairways and mezzanines to one particular parlor and sat in a cozy banquette. The hostesses run around with wireless mics and song menus and when it's your turn , well, it's your turn.
The thing about these places is that there are almost always karaoke pros who's talents go far beyond the everyday shower variety. They're good. They're really good. Meanwhile, you put on your best Louis Armstrong and grumble out "What A Wonderful World." Which, if I don't say so myself, I knocked out of the park.
Nightlife around here doesn't really get started till about 2am. So by the time the last chorus was sung and the cabs had deposited us at our respective flats, the overcast sky was taking on a morningesque tinge. No matter. Since it never really gets bright around here anyway, you can climb in bed and sleep without guilt or disorientation.
2 comments:
What fun with the karioke. I would have loved to do my best ABBA rendition of "Chiquitita". How did you make it staying up so late ....that's not you. Surprised me. As usual, the photos are wonderful.
Since it's dark damn near all the time here, time seems more relative. That, and the fact that when you're in a new place like this the adrenaline of novelty keeps you going.
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