Brisons La Glace avec Moscou

Sound of Silence

2011-09-24T04:21:00.000-07:00

Did you miss me? Not really. Internet offers so many sources of stupidities that one less is not changing much. I was really busy lately and I thought I would be dry concerning the city I still live in, Moscow. Nothing can surprise me anymore, nothing can upset me anymore, nothing can hurt me anymore...that's not true, more than ever this city is a punk circus, juggling between insanity and paradoxes. The world is upside down, Moscow is down upside. Nothing like others.

I did a lot of things during those last few months...few things actually. I've launched my first book 'Tranches de Mort' that you can order here http://www.amazon.fr/TRANCHES-MORT-VINCHON-Franck/dp/2748366689/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316863597&sr=8-1 (all countries available), I've launched a free art magazine unleash.pdf (discover more info and the way to download here http://www.facebook.com/pages/unleashpdf/251156931590783), I've developed my art collective Ipeka http://ipekacollective.wordpress.com/ and we still developing some projects and, all that, was captured on radio over here http://moscouactu.blogs.courrierinternational.com/archive/2011/09/15/la-vie-a-moscou-vue-par-un-publicitaire-parisien.html . And I don't tell you everything because you won't believe me but I run some other activities as well.

Could I do all that without the enrgy of Moscow? Probably not. The least I could do is to come back to this blog and celebrate the punk life I'm still living.

Police is Back

2011-03-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

Today was announced that Militsya will be called Police - it does not seem to please a lot of people even if nothing will changed. But an association decided to say thank you to them. Just observe that they mainly kissed girls - they did not want to get shot. No joke over here.

Sunday Hit V

2011-02-20T05:11:00.000-08:00

Expat Explanation: spring is about to come and with my mate, we spent the last 6 months to develop songs for that cool period. But we drunk a lot during the winter so we don't have much money to hire some girls for our clip (it's OK the director is going to be our neighbour Serguey) and for the outfits. It's going to be fine. With a bit of luck, we won't be even be chosen for MTV. We love spring so much.

Sunday Hit IV

2011-02-06T03:15:00.000-08:00

Expat Explanation: When my old pager is ringing with its Pacman 8-bit ringtone, I know this is going to crazy. So crazy that some Russians will speak English, imitating Bon Jovi, playing in a supermarket. Obviously in the electronics department with TV everywhere. Some old phnes are also available and Halloween is obviously approaching.

Sunday Hit III

2011-01-30T14:13:00.000-08:00

Expat Explanation: the fuckin' phone does not work fine...a bit oldish so you need to scream to be heard. Even if you don't have nothing to say

Brrrranding

2011-01-26T13:39:00.000-08:00

Winter period is never perfect for brands' communication, mainly for their branding. The snow, the dirt, the ice are the enemies of efficient communication and you have to choose carefully your support. No surprise that, herer more than anywhere, the brands need very specific executional elements (color palette, imagery...). Always useful if you have a micro space to advertise.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, just a good example that we know pretty well in BBDO)

Another Shit

2011-01-24T09:41:00.000-08:00

Sunday Hit II

2011-01-23T11:01:00.000-08:00

Expat Explanation - if you get drunk in a shitty bar, you'll be surrounded by very strange people and you'll listen to some music delivered by two over-made up look-a-like secretary style strange hairdo girls.

Last Action Heroes

2011-01-17T10:20:00.000-08:00

We all remember the fantastic japanese commercials featuring a young and fresh Arnold. At that time, it was difficult to find the material and a lot of stars from Hollywood were running to far-away countries to pay their taxes. Now, unfortunately for them, it's not difficult for anybody to find their masterpieces. In Russia, we've got few of them. I've selected only the action actors but we have much more. Then the question, does it really make sense to spend all that money?

Sunday Hit I

2011-01-16T03:17:00.000-08:00

Expat Explanation - We can see the composer at the beginning, struggling to write a shitty song but some birds and white roses falling from the ceiling are really inspiring. Then the young guy, really fashion, gets fame and women consideration by dancing on that song in a very edgy club. But he understands that love is more than that, even more in winter, so he's coming back by bus. Fuckin' birds...

Nano Medvedev

2011-01-15T03:55:00.000-08:00

'We Are Different'

2011-01-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

As much as the Russians claim it all the time, especially in advertising industry, I'm really sorry to say that Russians are not different. Or, in that case, each country, each culture, each history is different.

The only thing that may annoy them is the communication brought by international brands without any sense of local understanding (it may be the guilt of shitty agencies over here). Tell me if this brand of cigarette took the time to go on Internet to understand what Moscow looked like in the winter before posting that in the metro.

We are all different. Some of us are bloody stupid.

Green Washing

2010-12-26T15:28:00.001-08:00

Who would believe that? Russia is becoming a first-class supporter of eco-friendly behaviours. Well, let's not be so fast but the same country that hosts SUV drivers with the sticker 'Fuck Fuel Economy' on their trunk is about to launch their first green vehicle http://inhabitat.com/first-russian-hybrid-car-coming-in-2012/ . And I'm sure that investigating a bit more Runet will give you some hints about a more responsible future. We're far to be living in Luxembourg but everything seems to go in a good direction. The supermarket chain Perekrostok is opening some 'green' stores and McDonald's does not see any problem to import their new concept on the Russian territory. Even Giant Gazprom is making an effort http://www.gazprom.com/press/news/2010/november/article105959/. Reality or manipulation. Russian style anyway.

No translation

2010-12-26T14:45:00.000-08:00

Training for Sotchi 2014

2010-12-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Soviet Year

2010-12-20T13:29:00.000-08:00

It is official and very serious. For New Year's Eve, the Kremlin is organizing a party 'Back in USSR' (in English on the invitation). The ceremony will be held in an official residence of the government, outside Moscow, and will be presented by a look-alike from Brejnev. It will gather not less than 350 guests. Another look-alike from Alla Pugatchova (famous soviet star, still very famous and visible now) will be there - I've got one question, why not to pay the real one to come?

Apparently the main host, playing the ex-General Secretary of the Central Comitee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982, will inspire himself with some soviet speeches to spread some gifts to the winners of a kind of lottery during the evening.

Well, what to expect now for next year? Staline kissing the employees' children?

Mad Maxim

2010-12-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

GTA � Moscou - Video

Riot Act

2010-12-18T13:20:00.000-08:00

Revolutions used to occur in summer. Forget about it. A wave of violence took over Europe in the last few weeks, at the middle of a snowy winter, even coming to the center of Moscow. After (in random order) London and its hungry students, Italy and its hungry anti-Berlusconi or classic France with its hungry French, here comes Russia and its hungry everybody. In a country where the riots are rare and often violently controled by the police, the last week was quite a big deal for moscovites.

After the death of a Spartak fan last week, killed by Caucasian origins lads, a terrible street fighting started to be organized between Russian fascits and Caucasus natives. After last week-end fight on Manezhnaya Place (near the Kremlin, 30 injured people), we saw again a serie of provocative clashes between ethnic minorities and ultranationalists near the Kievsky Station.

Poutine, not far from a little word of propaganda, had tough talk about 'bacillus of nationalism' and wanted Russian people to thank the police to protect them so well. Funny...not really actually.

Smack my Bitch Up (Russian Version)

2010-12-12T03:01:00.000-08:00

Fast Company

2010-12-05T03:59:00.000-08:00

Something freaks me out about Russia. There is a lot of things to invent here, mainly concerning services. This field is still under-invested (the sense of service is still something difficult to fully get for Russian people). But still, Moscow is a booming city, so what is the result? People are just developing some stuff which are already crowdy and with a lot of players. You see appearing everyday some me-too offers, without communication and product differentiation.

Look at that paying machine (where you can put cash on your phone, your Internet and other services). These are the brands delivering Internet connection. I let you counting them, but really, it does not make sense. Dudes, try to invest in something innovative for once.

(Dirrty Frank, looking for his provider since 3 minutes)

We Are (not yet) The Champions

2010-12-02T10:57:00.000-08:00

A first victory for Russia, it's going to be the first time that the country will organize the FIFA World Cup, in 2018 for those who were sleeping this afternoon. Noit much to say after all the limbo created by the English campaign director, after the personal involvement of Vladimir, after all the stories about the country ability to receive a so big-scale event. Actually, I just want to show you how difficult it was when you see the communication and the accent of the Minister of Sports. Russia is getting international...little by little.

WikiKremlin

2010-11-30T13:15:00.000-08:00

I would not report exactly what was disclosed by the Wikileaks few days ago about many important people in trhe world. I would not say here that Medvedev is considered as useless, Poutine as a dominant male and Russia as a mafia-ruled state by the US diplomats. I would like to share with you that clouding done by Fast Company. The bigger the word, the more repeated in the messages that were discovered. I was quite surprised to see Russia in a second position, even without cold war or evident threats. For sure, Russia is still a big topic for Americans.

Synchronized Swimming

2010-11-29T23:30:00.000-08:00

Silence for the Kids

2010-11-29T12:30:00.000-08:00

This place, Mayakovskaya, is famous to receive any type of manifestation. Of course, under high control from the police. Anyway, each time, a movement or an association wants to shout something to the government, everything is organized to let them do it in that place of 50m2. But since few months, a fence blocks the access to that place, officially for reperation but the antis are talking about a conspiracy to shut the mouths and live a peaceful end of the year. Just to make it nice, the Moscow city put on the fence some photos for a kids' association, just to make them swallow the bitter pill in a friendly way.

(Photos: Dirrty Franck, power to the kids)

In the Pipeline

2010-11-27T06:58:00.000-08:00

Reading the Future

2010-11-26T12:24:00.000-08:00

While the iPad was launched few weeks ago only, Russian people did not wait for Steve to start using digital reading devices. I remember my first post of this blog, highlighting the fact that people in Moscow were handling books a lot in transport. Few years have passed and they obviously took the trend on their side. But using some other devices then the worldwide blockbusters (iPad, Kindle, Samsung). You can see mainly some chinese or asian brands delivering a black/white/grey blurry enjoyable reading experience. Nevertheless, reading stays the great escape the gloomy environment over here

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, fully Mac equiped)

Dirty Dancing

2010-11-22T14:40:00.000-08:00

Moscovite Diversity

2010-11-21T06:50:00.000-08:00

Nobody would be surprised that the last census showed that 12% of Russians consider themselves as Muslims. In a country with so many cultures, so many origins and so many people, that's a normal fact. The big thing is that we don't give to the people the necessary places to follow their faith or at least to be in peace with their beliefs. You would argue that Kazan reveals one of the most beautiful mosque in Eastern Europe and that Russia built a brand new one near Prospekt Mira. But as usual in Russia, does it sound like enough to integrate those people into the society? What do you think conservative Russian people would think seeing those pictures on the web? And, of course, what would be their reaction, seeing that and relating them to the numerous bomb attacks in the country? I'm not saying Europe is doing better but there is a big room for improvement to ease integration and avoid racism/xenophobia which are still very strong here.

Got Moloko?

2010-11-20T10:02:00.000-08:00

La Voix de son Maître

2010-11-18T13:02:00.000-08:00

Un des gros buzz du moment: Poutine a reçu un chien en cadeau. On le savait déjà amoureux des animaux mais là, les sources officielles ont confirmé 'qu'il avait embrassé le chien quand on lui a offert. Certains journalistes présents ont même affirmé qu'ils l'avaient embrassé deux fois'. Sur Internet, les bloggers s'entre-tuent pour donner un nom au pauvre chien qui devra vivre avec Connie, le labrador officiel du Premier Ministre.

Je vous promets d'avoir des infos plus importantes dans mon prochain post.

Well...

2010-11-15T12:28:00.003-08:00

Octopussy Trailer

2010-11-11T13:00:00.000-08:00

Definitely on the Go

2010-11-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

Bloody hell, where are the shitty kiosks where we were buying our warm beers at 4am or our outdated kebab after a long working day. If somebody knows where they disappeared, please mention it in the comments. Hundreds of them disappeared in the center of the city in the last few days. I'm really worried...

(Photo: Dirrty Frank. Who made that decision? The new ghost mayor?)

Flower Power

2010-11-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

I've never seen a country with so many florists than Moscow - even Paris is not at that level. I can't explain the success of it apart of the intent from Russian people to put romantism at the core of their life. It's not rare to see people with flowers at the train station, at the restaurant for friends or beloved, for birthdays, for colleagues...

Well, there is always a limit. How many guys I've seen in the metro, dead drunk, falling asleep or ready to bring up, obviously late to get to home, with a ridiculous rose that would help them to get forgiveness from their wives. Romantism is where you want to find it.

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, always a rose crossing his smile)

Smile of the Month

2010-11-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

Census on TV

2010-10-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

This is the national census in Russia at the moment. Everybody is asked to deliver all the information necessary to understand the status of the population. But when the Prime Minister and his wife are doing it, it becomes a real event. And a real bunch of jokes on Internet http://radulova.livejournal.com/1969461.html

Echec et Math

2010-10-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

Perelman n'est pas un nom très connu, un peu plus à Moscou mais bon. On ne peut pas être très surpris, le gars se refuse à la renommée qui lui tend les bras. Il vient de refuser deux prix internationaux pour récompenser son génie en matière de mathématiques, chacun devant lui apporter 1 million de dollars. Putain, il comprend rien aux chiffres ou quoi. La raison n'est pas simple. Il est juste socialement inapte, enfin, bon, en gros, il vit sur une autre planète et ne comprend pas pourquoi on vient leur faire chier dans sa vie bien calculée.

Alors quand les Ukrainiens s'en mêlent, rien ne va plus. Alors que se déroulent des élections à Kiev, un parti politique a fait une campagne d'affichage avec un mec à la ramasse qui dit de façon cynique pour dénoncer le parti opposant 'ma pension de retraité a augmenté de 7 hryvnia, je vais voter pour le parti XXX'. En gros, humour noir et provocation. Mais quand l'agence de pub ou le parti lui-même cherche la photo d'un loser, ils vont sur Google et prennent une photo de...Perelman. Pas de bol.

Pour l'instant, tout le monde en parle, lui continue de tourner en rond. Si j'étais lui, je demanderai 2 millions de dollars, histoire de se refaire.

I Shot Myself Today

2010-10-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

I've created an international project called Ipeka, a artistic collective that destroys boundaries between discipline and focused on storytelling. This is one of our first projects, completely driven from Moscow but with an international cast. You can follow us on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/IPEKA/101264169925374?ref=search . See you soon.

Make Love, Not Worm

2010-10-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

The longest conversations in Moscow these days are about the 'Kremlin Worm'. Found in his plate by Dmitry Zelenin (governor of Tverskaya region) during an official lunch at the Kremlin, that little animal is raising interest until the highest level of the Russian political hierarchy. Actually, the modern Zelenin put that photo on his twitter and created one of the most incredible scandals (he removed the photo since then, understanding his unfortunate provocation). Medvedev wanted to fire him, a lot of blogs mentioned him, jokes are already circulating, foreign press is making fun about him...and our little friend has got even his own twitter now http://twitter.com/KremlinCherv.

You don't have to be fat and impressive to succeed in Russia. A star is born.

Liver Pooh

2010-10-16T07:57:00.000-07:00

It's a fact. Russian people take care of their livers. Actually, you can find a lot of reasons for that and they're not really linked to liver concerns: raise in prices on the beer market (confirmed by a chat with a Baltika person yesterday), year of health (another stupid advertising campaign done by the government)...

All those efforts to make your liver get better were encapsulated in a small-scale city formats billboards campaign that was planned to generate PR but...did not. So I'm doing my job here and I share with you the visual where you see a lot of garbage captured in the ad device and saying 'be careful to what you give to your liver'.

Not really sure it raised people awareness but at least they found a place where to put the extra garbage that you find everywhere in that city's streets.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, dying for Big Mac + Heineken + Skittles)

Dirty Job

2010-10-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

Visa Land

2010-10-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

All the expats are upset with the visa process. True that it becomes quickly a nightmare for most of the people to go to Russia (actually, the people complaining the most are those completely taken in charge by their companies...no big deal then). But who is thinking about our fellow Russian friends? It's a nightmare when times come to organize their vacation or business trips.

Most of the countries ask for visa to Russian citizens (at least more countries than EU people). That's why some of them acted well by opening their borders to Russian new habits of travelling a lot. The clever guys are mainly Egypt, Turkey, Vietnam, Cuba (what a surprise) and few others. They do most of their business out of that.

Easy to understand: light green - no visa, dark green - visa at the entrance, yellow - visa but easy, grey - conditionnally no visa (don't understand), blue - visa for sure, visa for you a bit less.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, soon on vacation in a no visa country but far away)

Alors Tu Danses

2010-10-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

Back in the USSR

2010-10-09T04:02:00.000-07:00

Well, those two words were not famous to be associated cleverly in the Soviet times. Today, John Lennon would be 70 years old and he left us a great heritage of music, creartivity and peace messages. Apparently, his early years in the Beatles were not appreciated by the Soviet journalists. Look at that article that is describing the band as absolutely stupid, with no future, bad singers with idiot fans screaming. And obviously that nobody will remember them nowadays. I'm afraid it happened to sovietism but not to the Beatles and John. Give peace a chance.

Happy Birthday to Pou

2010-10-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Poutine's birthday yesterday, some nice students in the journalism department of MGU, the most prestigious university in Moscow, prepared a little surprise. A calendar full of sensuality and sweet support. Quite hot calendar. To discover entirely on http://krispotupchik.livejournal.com/92592.html

Some students from the same department don't seem to enjoy the Prime Minister. The prepared a calendar, with a different angle I would say http://sasha-utkin.livejournal.com/147833.html

Then, we can discuss the links between power and information. A difficult love affair for sure.

Real Football Fans

2010-10-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

When you're a football fan, you are a real fan. Whomever you support.

Russian Beast

2010-10-05T12:12:00.000-07:00

Fyodor, whenever you want, wherever you want...just joking.

You've got a Message

2010-10-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

Come on, guys. A bit of respect for the billboards. Stop putting your shitty stuff about credits, immigration cards and english lessons for mute people. Thanks in advance.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, waiting for your mails tomorrow)

Forest Pop Star

2010-10-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

Leningrad band was upset to see all those pop stars, climbing the stages to defend the Khimki forest (I was promising to write a post about that problem since a long time but I want to understand better the situation to give you the full picture - in few words, eco-friendly people would like to save that forest in the North of Moscow where a highway to St Pete is supposed to be built). All kind of personnalities raised their voices to defend nature but a lot of people believe as well that this publicity helps them to sell more music and come back in the limelight. Realistic or jealous? Now, Sergey Shnourov (Leningrad leader) has got his piece of cake as well.

Best Enemies

2010-09-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, which one to chose?)

Loss of Confidence

2010-09-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

The (ex-) Mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, was dismissed today by President Medvedev (some say by SMS as Dmitry is currently in China) for a very strange official reason: loss of confidence. Can somebody explain to me how that guy, who was the incarnation of bad governing, estate bribery, business manipulator, city destroyer, could have been reelected during 20 years by people that apparently hated him so much (I did my little survey today)? Another lack of sense coming from Russia. Just another one.

On the Go

2010-09-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

Don't blink, my friends. This visual may disappear in less than 20 seconds. A bit of explanation needs to be added to that teaser introduction.

I don't know why but, in any restaurant in Moscow, as soon as you finished your plate or your glass (even before unfortunately), the waiter is coming to your table and is removing the stuff without any notice. We're far from the Latin habit to appreciate your nice dinner by still having a look to your plate at the end or making a pause to please your taste until the final drop. Well, if you come to Moscow, finish in one shot or make it clear that you have not finished.

Or you'll have to fight to recuperate your food.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, still hungry for more)

Game is a Business

2010-09-25T12:27:00.000-07:00

I don't want to talk here about bookmakers or bets (that would be the subject for another article). It's just that Russian people often use their skills, whatever they are, to make business out of them. And when you're good at chess, no big deal, you propose a game for 50 RUR. Hope this guy is not a sublime genious and you can play more than 30''. Or perhaps, he would have the pity to leave your King alive for 5 minutes at least. Just to have a feeling of a good deal.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, on Nikitsky Boulevard, trying to earn money with PPT presentations)

Bigger Than Life

2010-09-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

We know that advertisers love big formats for outdoors in Russia. We have the bigger brandmauers in the world. We know as well that big screens are flourishing in the city, transforming the capital in a new Las Vegas. So, why not to think bigger and mix it all.

Viral Fruit

2010-09-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

Since few days, Moscow is flooded with illegal pears, some stickers that you can see everywhere in the city, even distributed outside the metro. Nobody knows what it is about. We may see there a guerilla operation from Apple to prevent piracy on their devices. Actually, I understand. One of our iPhones that we cracked opens showing a pineapple. Russian hackers are so inventive and romantic.

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, always up for a vodka-apple)

Russia's Got Talent

2010-09-19T01:40:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately, they don't have screen writers. Anyway, the result is really impressive for a rookie.

Transformers from repey815 on Vimeo.

Bad Lieutenant

2010-09-17T13:19:00.001-07:00

This policeman is reading a book tittled 'I'm a thief' in the Moscow metro. He was never so right about his behaviour - at least most of his colleagues'.

(Photo: Julia and Runet, looking for outlaws everywhere)

Rubber Valley

2010-09-15T13:06:00.001-07:00

We know all the efforts of Medvedev to develop hi-tech industry in Moscow. Today, an entrepreneur is presenting to him the first Russian smartphone. The stuff is so horrible that some people could not resist to make a joke. Here it is, long live the Russian Silicon Valley.

Born to be Alive

2010-09-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

Laundry Service

2010-09-13T13:04:00.001-07:00

We all know that Chinese community is the best-in-class laundry specialists in the world. And we all suspect that the dtergent smell is perfect to hide cocaine powder traces. In Russia, of course not. The best laundry services are supposed to be Italian. Perhaps to hide the smell of the 4 cheeses pizza. Mama mia...

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, discovering the world skills everyday)

F*** Me, I'm Famous

2010-09-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

A new thing to delight your ego appeared near your favourite shops in Moscow. Forget about the caricaturists from Arbat street, portraying you with a big noise and proeminent eyebrows. Now, with a simple photo, you can become your fantasy and believe you're somebody else. Would like to chose to be a princess, a pirate, a spy or a Hollywood star...?

It's up to you to satisfy your dreams and put it on your flat's wall for the pleasure of your family and friends. Spooky.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, who is thinking to be a porn star on a horse)

Moment of Truth

2010-09-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

Veteran Airlines

2010-09-03T07:14:00.000-07:00

Aeroflot is the only airlines company in the world, having some 50+ in their crew. Pretty surprising...not really actually. When you see the difficulty for some people to find a job in modern Russia (the transition, 20 years ago, was quite harsh for some of them), when you understand the difficulty to accomplish yourself in a very young-oriented market and, for the elders, when you see the level of retirement helps, you'll get it.

Therefore, it's not surprising to see people, reaching their 60s, but delivering pizza or sushi menus at your home, selling some telecommunication SIM cards in the streets, cleaning the floor in the malls, making security guards for shops (all of them need one - Russian law) and so on.

We always talk about the great future of Russia, let's not forget about those who built its present.

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, past-present-future)

La Dernière Séance

2010-09-01T12:55:00.000-07:00

Il n'y a pas si longtemps, il faisait un temps pourri à Moscou (original) et je m'etais décidé a aller au cinéma pour aller voir n'importe quel film bidon même en langue Russe. Bref, mes intentions étaient bonnes et on décidait d'aller voir le navet d'Angelina, Salt. A priori le seul film à l'affiche où je risque de comprendre 10% de ce qui se passe.

Arrivé au complexe, nous apprenons que seul la salle VIP diffuse ce film. Pas de problème, la salle est plus petite, plus intime, plus de places pour les jambes...bref plus de tout. Le prix aussi est assez incroyable: 2500 RUR/personne - ce qui fait à peu près 65 euros par tête de pipe. On a décidé de laisser Angelina là où elle se trouvait.

Putain, Moscow, c'est vraiment l'arnaque.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, en tête d'affiche)

Pop Tetris

2010-08-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

From Outer Space

2010-08-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

Difficult to believe. This is a Marshrutka (private mini buses running in all Russian cities for an average price of 20 RUR - alternative when there is no metro or tramways in your area - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshrutka), advertising a beer brand. You can trust the driver, he will take you home safely.

On the other hand, they were communicating their summer promotion on the possibility to win a trip to the cosmos. Everything is said, now, you just have to pray.

(Dirrty Frank, head in the cosmos today)

Iron Woman

2010-08-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

You'll never see a lot of billboards on the walls of the metro platforms (I don't talk about the escalators that are full of media placements). But when you do, be sure you'll meet some incredible super hero. Apparently, she can even fly.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, completely washed out today)

Kinder Bono

2010-08-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

The Irish singer is always using the same recipes. There is a white side, a dark side and there is also a surprise at some point.

The white part is obviously the music, hymns of our golden age, our generation anthems, the show which illuminated Moscow's raining sky tonight, the intensity of the emotion (I was always wondering how they did with so average drummer and bass player). A great band in action. A fantastic show. A must-live experience.

The dark side is that wish to go for show-off charity at some point that we don't really understand if it's not about self-marketing. A show full of great intentions but delivered in a shiny way, in an entertaining way. Certainly the new way to deliver important messages. The debate is open. I'm not sure in Russia it worked so well. The reactions of the audience was so-so on the speeches (even translated on the big screens).

And obviously the surprise. Bono delighted us with Salman Rushdie or with the Mothers of the Disappeared in Chile in 1998. But apparently he was not very clear about his position for Russia (perhaps, coming for the first time here, he was not properly briefed). How to mix in the same concert some greatings for President Medvedev, which whom he spent some time in Soki yesterday (dixit Bono), underlined the presence of Gorbatchov in the audience, sung some Bob Marley and showed the Human Rights in a country that is struggling to feel the equality of chance and finally performing with Yuri Schevchuk, famous rock star that is standing against the government since 20 years (quite famous for his tough discussion with Poutine few weeks ago). What Bono wants to play with? This amalgam and this superficial knowledge of the country is not really responsible for a guy that wants to be perceived as important as the politicians and decision-makers of this world. Provocator or ambassador, you need to choose. This is really strange and I feel a bit disapointed even after spending such a nice moment.

Some say that rock'n'roll will save the world. I believe in it. But not tonight...

(Photo: Dirrty Frank and Julia)

'Beautiful' Day

2010-08-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

Mafia Taxi

2010-08-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

Few days ago, I took a taxi that brought me back in times, moreover that made me feel old-fashion cool guy. As you can see on the pictures, it was a Volga (Soviet car for officials for the Party - still a lot in Moscow), black curtain all around the back seats (no visibility for possible snipers) and DVD player running sexy videos ('The world is mine'). 45 minutes of outdated power. Deserved clearly 500 RUR.

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, 'just talk to me nicely by now, man')

Summer Russian Classic

2010-08-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

Laetitia for Free

2010-08-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

Do you think that Laetitia Casta is remunerated to appear in that shop advertisement for copies, photos, letters, cropping... I'm sure she is not?

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, giving his image for free if needed)

Russian Van Damme

2010-08-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

Underground Culture

2010-08-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

No time to go and investigate for cultural events, no worries. In Moscow, the culture comes to you, until your lovely metro where you can find legally some tickets to any kind of concerts or plays. The choice is really large. You can find for musicals, theatres, operas, concerts and so on. And the nice thing is to see those guys coming in the morning or leaving in the night with their big advertising panels in their hands. Cultural and physical obviously.

(Photos: Dirrty Frank who never bought to them, poshy prick)

20 Years After

2010-08-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

20 years ago exactly, Viktor Tsoï died in a car accident - officially he felt asleep. Just a story among millions of daily drama. The only difference is that Tsoï was the iconic singer of Kino, a soviet rock band, that was ruling music over here in the 80's. A whole generation became orphan as he was guiding the young generation through one of the most difficult transitions of the country with his poetry and his charisma.

Everybody is talking about that today - already 20 years. A concert is organized for that - well, in October, you know, in Russia, even dead people are late. The wall, dedicated to him near Old Rabat street (see photos taken few months ago), gathered thousands of fans and bottles of vodka. He was the last music hero of that country. Not difficult when you see what we see on TV nowadays. Something went wrong in the music industry in Russia. Really wrong...

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, discovering also that legendary band)

Pepsi Moscow Beach

2010-08-14T01:11:00.000-07:00

The Wedding Planner

2010-08-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

If I was a wedding planner, I would surely recommend Moscow for the best day of your life. Especially this summer. With a bit of smoke if you're lucky, in a dusty gigantic limo in 40°, with hot Soviet champagne coming with sure headache and drunk best men from 10am. And look to that lovely couple in an advertising from Moscow Government. Isn't it nice? 'Love lives here' for sure.

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, not motivated so far)

New It Boy

2010-08-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

Between Reality and Poetry

2010-08-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

Comparing what is said, what is speculated, what is criticised, what is suffered...Actually, everybody is living the catastrophe through their own eyes. If you have a look to the reality, near the fires, it may look like that http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/08/russian_wildfires.html. But if you live in Moscow, my friends and I saw some amazing things that explain the frivolous attitude of the moscovites (even in a catastrophic situation): people wearing a mask in an air-conditioned car, senior people having a beer outside the metro asking you for a lighter, stopped cars spitting gaz emissions with children playing behind, people having dinner on terrasse...

Still, worth having a look to that very nice video - a love hymn to the smoked city of Moscow.

Street Marketing

2010-08-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

First time that discipline deserves so well its name. This year, a new media appeared in Moscow (well, you've got to find some other solutions as everything is already quite busy). Just as simple as tagging the pavement. Not a bad idea at the moment when you see barely your feet in the smoke.

But as always, a simple idea got completely crazy and everybody wanted to draw its fingerprints everywhere: brands for youth, little shops around the corner, announcement of concerts and events (as the tag is permanent, few of them seems quite outdated), navigation path to find restaurants, websites...and even companies proposing professional tagging for your brand. The situation became ridiculous with not less than 20 tags at each metro exit.

I'm sure Moscow will find something to go to the next level for next year. And in the winter, perhaps, we can paint the snow (if somebody feels interested, I can sell the patent).

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, one step after another)

Silent Hill

2010-08-08T00:28:00.000-07:00

It's in the Bag

2010-08-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

Far from Carrie Bradshaw's show that any people would imagine in the upscale streets of Moscow, there is another trend going on, much stronger and touching the majority of the population. This is all about the plastic bag. Easy, seasonal, premium, even chic.

You can't imagine how far the people go to chose or to handle the right plastic bag to look a bit posh. Of course, it's not always on purpose. When you buy something in the streets or in the tunnels, you have to buy the wrapping bag. And then, it's a collection of different styles flashing to your eyes: famous brands, colorful flowers, travelling style, foreign names with a lot of mistakes, poetry in French that does not mean anything...All of them convey something about you. And I can tell you, in Moscow, it's bloody important.

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, trying to sell some Fnac bags for 3 euros)

War Games

2010-08-05T10:30:00.001-07:00

Few days ago, Russia was celebrating the Defenders of the Motherland...like every year actually. No comments. Just pics.

(Photos collected by Pierre Emmanuel)

Moscovite Resident Evil

2010-08-04T11:22:00.000-07:00

That's terrible. Villages are burning all around Moscow, forests are devastated, Moscow is drown in a wave of smoke that creates a dull video-game environment. 2012 will occur in 2011? And of course, Russian people try to handle with jokes (playing with fairy tales or with one of the most famous TV news host). As usual.

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, gorilla in the mist)

Me-Too Sub Products

2010-08-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

Russia is a mistery for that. Most of the ideas are stolen from other countries, but contrary to China for example, to talk about it is really a tabu. That's quite ridiculous when you think that globalization of ideas sharing make everything easier to track, some people here are still thinking they're protected by a kinda curtain (no historical mention here) that would allow them to imitate without any shame. I've already shown you that nice homage-video clip

http://brisonslaglace.blogspot.com/2010/05/homage-or-bad-copy.html. This is another one that is quite obvious. Yes, this clip made some buzz but far to be a best-in-class production. Even more if you remove the 'happening' that was generated at that time.

And then, we can talk about many other things like Vkontakte.ru/Facebook, series like Scrubs or Desperate Housewives (see photos), some food chains like Pret a Manger/Prime Star or some numerous local me-too products. To be fair, we can't say that Russian people lack of imagination (all the contrary) but they hate risks. That's why they prefer to develop something that was done successfully somewhere else than to invest in the unknown

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, the one and only...so far)

Melting Moscow

2010-07-29T13:38:00.000-07:00

They Has It

2010-07-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

Baby Hockey

2010-07-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

Vous vous souvenez de vos heures passées au bistrot à jouer au baby foot. Enfilant clope sur clope, bourré avec deux bières tièdes, reluquant la serveuse qui finit son CAP hotellerie...que de grands souvenirs d'une jeunesse à la limite du supportable. Et ben, à Moscou, c'est pareil, sauf que c'est un jeu de hockey et qu'on peut l'emmener partout.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, qui a toujours perdu à ce jeu, même sobre)

Hell's Angel

2010-07-25T01:13:00.000-07:00

Where the Streets have no Name

2010-07-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

Near my home, you've got a strange street that is kinda cute. Its name is the 'street with no name'. I like it...perfect to guide the taxis at 5am after the club.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, M. Nobody)

It's raining, mate

2010-07-20T08:42:00.001-07:00

I'm not in Moscow but Facebook is the best way to be aware of those important things: it's raining. After 1 month like that, we can't say it's a bad thing. Mainly for the guys in the center (not much difference to be honest).

Completely Nuts

2010-07-18T07:04:00.000-07:00

Hot Chick

2010-07-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

Work in P-rogress

2010-07-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, I had a drink with the director Ginzburg after shooting some of gthe last scenes of the forthcoming adaptation of Pelevin's book 'Generation P'. Two years and nothing yet. Apparently, they faced a lot of problems in post but it seems that it will go out in fall. For sure, this is one of the most expected Russian film since a long time.

Little Big Man

2010-07-14T23:41:00.001-07:00

Power of Life

2010-07-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

For once, it does not take place in Moscow, but it's too good not to be shared. Just the decoration of an hospital in Krasnodar. Just epic...
Have a look to the paintings here http://community.livejournal.com/ru_marazm/2346632.html

Police Viral Video

2010-07-10T02:52:00.000-07:00

I remember one of the first things I've been told when I arrive in Moscow 'Pedestrians are obstacles like others'. Russian peope drive badly, that's not new...But the fact that the police is releasing a buzzy montage of security camera shots, that's pretty unusual.

Voyeur Toilets

2010-07-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

You already know my passion about the toilets in Moscow. From surprise to surprise, I've talked already about those grounded on the floor, the blue boxes in the street ('Toi Toi' for the connoisseurs), two examples of two toilets in the same place...

Here it is. The Voyeur Toilet or the boudoir. When one is doing the job, the other one can have a look or chat about the weather. Elegant.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, who really thinks about changing his toilets at home)

Sunny Summer

2010-07-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

At least in Moscow...

Taxi Moscow

2010-07-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

No mention about the gipsy cabs all over the city. That taxi commes directly from Marseille, France. An exact copy of the customized Peugeot from the french films Taxi. Even the sign on top was a real one from Marseille Taxi company. Sure you feel like a real cinema star inside. I've seen the driver, well, still few efforts to do...

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, Like a rolling stone)