The interview with Woman.ru highlights Elena Proklova’s reflections on her colleague Chulpan Khamatova, who chose to leave Russia after the outbreak of the current crisis. Proklova, now 69, shares a pointed opinion about Khamatova’s decision, suggesting that the actress has positioned herself where she stands today through her own actions. According to Proklova, Khamatova cannot be blamed for the consequences she faces because, in her view, the situation is a direct result of choices made by the actress herself. This stance underscores Proklova’s belief that the circumstances are not imposed by others but are the outcome of personal decisions and their outcomes.
From Proklova’s perspective, a person should not be pitied for leaving home or pursuing opportunities elsewhere when it seems to align with their own interests and professional goals. Proklova argues that Khamatova’s career is far from finished and anticipates continued work in European theaters and productions. She asserts that Khamatova remains a talented artist and notes that true audiences respond to performers in their own land just as they do abroad. The core message, in Proklova’s view, is that the artist should stay connected to the audience that first understood her work and appreciated her talents, especially in her homeland.
Chulpan Khamatova’s departure from Russia followed the early days of a conflict in Ukraine, a move that has since kept the actress based in Latvia. This geographic shift is part of a broader conversation about how political and social upheaval can influence artistic careers and personal choices, including where artists live and perform.
Earlier, another development in the arts community emerged when Latvian actor Gundars Abolins posted on social media about the cancellation of the performance Gogolis.Nature Morte featuring Chulpan Khamatova. The decision, he explained, was made by the artistic director of the New Riga Theatre, Alvis Hermanis, after discussions with the production team following a late rehearsal. Abolins described the situation as a director’s decision, noting that it reflected the dynamics and negotiations that often accompany dramatic productions and touring schedules. This instance illustrates how political tensions and programmatic decisions can intersect with an individual performer’s career and the fate of a given show.