In Novorossiysk, during the third edition of the Open Russian Patriotic Film Festival Malaya Zemlya, Valery Barinov, recognized as People’s Artist of Russia and serving as the head of the festival’s jury for feature films, shared thoughts about artists who are labeled foreign agents and who have left Russia. He indicated that the topic attracted attention in the media, including arguments appearing in Arguments and Facts.
Barinov noted that several well known Russian figures, including Maxim Galkin, a showman who has been identified by some as a foreign agent within Russia, humorist Semyon Slepakov who has faced similar designation, and singer Zemfira who has also been described in this way, sought to challenge their status in Moscow courts. Their aim, he explained, was to regain the ability to travel and work, and to return to Turkey where they had found professional opportunities. He did not equate these individuals with those who left the intelligentsia or with white officers who left after the October Revolution. He emphasized that the SVO and the Civil War were fundamentally different in nature, yet he underscored a shared human experience: being cut off from one’s homeland can distance a person from the source of power they feel within, from hometowns and loved ones, and from the opportunity to visit a parental grave. He urged the audience to consider this emotional resonance, recalling the way the White officers once sought a return to Russia.
The head of the jury reminded listeners of the broader human pull toward home. He recalled the historical example of Lieutenant General Slashchev, a participant in the White movement who had to contend with life abroad and a longing to return south to Russia. The struggle, he noted, was not merely political but deeply personal. He pointed to the life of composer and pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff, who accumulated wealth and fame while living outside Russia, yet who did not produce a single work that could be considered outstanding during his years abroad. The point was to illustrate that exile can influence creative output and personal fulfillment, even for highly talented artists. The comparison highlighted how talent can thrive under certain conditions, but loyalty to a homeland can also shape the meaning and reception of great works.
Barinov also commented on the conduct of other cultural figures during periods of political and national stress. He mentioned Svetlana Nemolyaeva, a former Russian actress, and described the behavior of Latvian actor Ivars Kalnins as part of a broader discussion about artistic choices under pressure. These reflections were offered in a candid manner, intended to provoke thoughtful consideration about how artists navigate national identity, personal circumstance, and the delicate balance between personal freedom and public expectations. The dialogue served as a reminder that artistic careers are often interwoven with questions of loyalty, belonging, and the complexities of public life.