Marina and Colm now live in Co Galway
A NEW TG4 series on Russia and their views of Irish culture has its roots in its own love story – between a Russian TV producer and her Donegal partner.
Russian Marina Levitina is the producer of Radharc na Rúise / A View of Russia, a new four-part documentary series which will be broadcast on TG4 starting Thursday, February 28th at 9.30pm, and continuing for four Thursdays (with repeats on Fridays at 11.30pm).
The series focuses on the ordinary Russian people, their lives after the transition from communism to capitalism, and the surprising similarities they have with the Irish.
One of the Russian characters is a Moscow school principal who loves Tory Island; he has met the King of Tory and has a photograph of himself with the king on his desk… He said that it was amazing for him to meet a leader who is so close to his people.
Another character has founded an Irish Republican themed bar and changed his Russian name to “Sean O’Brien” to reflect his love for Ireland, even though he has never been here… A young Russian woman, who also has never been to Ireland, has photographs of Padraig Pearse and Michael Collins on her bedroom wall and holds them among her personal heroes.
“I am Russian myself, and have lived in Galway for the past eight years, having married an Irishman. My husband is a Donegal man Colm Hogan, and we have produced the series together,” said Marina who lectures at Trinity and NUIG.
In this series Irish presenter Feargus Denman, who has lived in Russia in the past and is a fluent Russian as well as a native Irish speaker, meets ordinary Russians in their apartments and dachas, and gives us an intimate insight into their lives, while exploring what we have in common.
Said Marina: “Such an insight has been previously unavailable to the Irish audience. Each of the four episodes is a window for the Irish audience into the life of several engaging Russian characters, including a single mother of two twin girls living on the 22nd floor of a Moscow hi-rise; a successful Russian businessman who has become disillusioned with Russia’s newly found wealth, abandoned his career and started a rock band to express his views; a contemporary painter who stood up to a Soviet leader; a bright young woman educator deeply passionate about Ireland and its future; and a school principal who believes in the importance of cultural exchange for the new generation.
“Many of these people have never been to Ireland, they have discovered Irish culture within Russia.”
Fergus Denman
Russia’s quick transition from the communal values of the Soviet times to capitalism and affluence, as well as the Russians’ love for music and literature and their keen sense of humour are among the themes and mutual Irish-Russian affinities dealt with in the series.
Through immediate and entertaining cultural dialogue, the series provides a fresh look at Ireland through Russian eyes, and a thought-provoking look into the Russian people’s lives, under the backdrop of stunning scenery of Moscow, St Petersburg, and the Russian countryside.
“We learn about Russia, but we also learn about ourselves,” added Marina.