Letters to the Editor

To the Editors:

Your [Nov/Dec 2008] editorial sounds a tad apologetic. No need to be. You are doing a great job with Russian Life.

As for our attitude towards the Russians, it is formulated by small, special interest groups and not by Americans at large. As one intelligent lady said to me, “I know that I am supposed to be anti-Russian, but I cannot think of a single reason why.” Hopefully, this sour attitude will change. Even conservatives like Pat Buchanan and Pat Robertson say that we should seek to be friends with the Russians and not enemies.

Walt Dublanica

To the Editors:

I enjoy your magazine very much, particularly since I have visited Russia six times over the past decade. The articles open new vistas as well as explore places I have visited.

I read the feature article [Nov/Dec 2008] concerning Hollywood films about Russia with great interest. I submit that Dr. Zhivago and The Russia House are two films that should be included on the list.

Dr. Zhivago was mentioned on the list of top ten actors in Russian roles. However the film is a classic and as I recall received a number of Oscars.

The Russia House is a thriller of the first order with a wonderful cast that includes Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer. In fact, much of the movie was filmed on location in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Sergiev Posad. The scenery is stunning. Michelle Pfeiffer’s portrayal of a Russian woman is superb.

Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Alan F. Hughes

To the Editors:

I have a question.... In the [Nov/Dec 2008] issue, the top 10 Russian movies were listed. I’m curious why Dr. Zhivago was not listed in the top 10.

Thanks,

Sandy Kovacic

The author responds:

Your question is a good one.  Any list of “ten best” anything is inevitably subjective, and I plead guilty to having my own quirky preferences.  Of course I love the film Doctor Zhivago, and if you read the preface to my recent book, you will find that it played a large role in my own choice to pursue a life involved with Russian language and culture. But in putting together my list, I was thinking of films that are perhaps less known to the wide public. And I do include Omar Sharif and Julie Christie on my “Top Ten Actors in Russian Roles” list, so they were not entirely slighted. Doctor Zhivago is justly admired and revered, and humanized Russia and the Russian Revolution for many Americans.

Harlow Robinson

To the Editors:

On page 12 of the September/October edition of Russian Life, the depth of Lake Baikal should be indicated as 1,637 meters, not feet as shown.

 Nancy Scarth