Happy Soviet Year

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?

Got Moloko?

Back in the USSR

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.

Mafia Taxi

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back seats (no visibility for possible snipers) and DVD player running sexy videos ('The world is mine'). 45 minutes of outdated power.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')

20 Years After

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)

The Wedding Planner

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)

Work in P-rogress

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.

La Résistance de Velours

Alors que la plupart des marques de luxe étrangères se font un paquet de blé, il reste encore des villages de résistants aux Pays des Soviets. La plupart des offres haut de gamme avait arboré les codes raffinés des marques étrangères quand celles-ci étaient interdites de territoire. On ne peut pas dire qu'elles vivent toujours très bien. Mais certaines sont encore très actives, font de la publicité à la TV ou s'affichent fièrement en ville.

A l'image de cette marque de parfumerie qui avait et continue de montrer ses atouts en langue française. Le rêve impossible d'un Paris lointain a fait de Nouvelle Etoile une chaîne qui compte. Maintenant que le voyage dans la Ville des Lumières est une banalité, la cible a peut-être changé mais le rêve reste intact.

(Photo: Dirrty Frank, un nom français, c'est toujours joli sur un truc qui pue)

Reagan and Soviet Jokes

Propaganda on the other side of the Atlantic. Funny anyway...

Une Soirée bien Animée

Enorme soirée pour l'anniversaire de Manou le week-end dernier. On avait pas rigolé autant depuis 2009. En plus l'endroit idéal. Club privé rétro portant le nom d'un personnage de comics, sûrement le plus connu de Russie (la concurrence est absente): le Petrovitch.

Un endroit bigarré, vintage et bobo, sans forcément y faire le beau, avec un zeste de soviet attitude. Les gens peuvent laisser leurs objets des années 80s et peuvent acheter ceux qui pullulent dans chaque pièce. Tables bancales, chaise de datcha mais bouffe sympa...Bref, à recommender

(Photos: Dirrty Frank, qui n'a toujours pas sa carte de membre alors qu'il est allé pas mal de fois et que tous ses potes l'ont déjà...)

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