Belarusian Actor Ihar Sihau Explains Reasons For Refusing Russian Filming

The harsh truth about Russian cinema and censorship in Belarus.

The famous Belarusian actor Ihar Sihau became a guest on the recent Studio X-97 show. Why did the legend of the Belarusian theatre completely change his life and leave for Poland? For what reason did the sought-after actor send the Russian TV series “after the Russian warship”? He gives details about offers to take part in Russian propaganda movies and whether he is ready to play Lukashenka.

The actor told the whole truth about Russian cinema and propaganda in Belarus in the show by Charter97.org. He is confident that the dictators will inevitably fall.

Host: Yevhen Klimakin.

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– Ihar, you really have starred in many films and plays. You have taken part in hundreds of them. You are really one of the best and most prominent Belarusian actors. And then a year ago you changed your life so dramatically. You were in Minsk, participating in the filming in Russia - and now you are working as a taxi driver in Warsaw. We will definitely talk about this in detail. Let's start with one small question: do you regret your decision, your choice?

– No, not at all.

– Ihar, we were worried about how we would be in the car with a camera. There won't be enough space, but the car is fine - the Mercedes.

– Just because of comfort. Working in small cars with my height for eight hours is not very convenient.

– Tell me how you made the decision to move a year ago, because, let’s be honest, you actually had something to abandon.

– The main reason for the move was the beginning of the war in Ukraine. My wife is Ukrainian. Naturally, we reacted unequivocally to what happened. This war happened, we were on the side of Ukraine and we went to protest against the war while still in Belarus. It was unsafe to stay there. So, we found an opportunity to move, thank God for that. I am really grateful. We are now living in Mrs Eva’s place. She took us in with two dogs.

– Did you start working in a taxi almost immediately?

– A month later. It took time to move and get used to the new place... As for the financial safety net, we didn’t have it. Therefore, I understood that in any case, I need to earn something and live somehow, we need to pay rent, we need to feed our dogs, and we also need to feed ourselves.

– How many hours a day do you work?

– About 8-10 hours.

– So, you are working 10 hours daily as a driver in Warsaw. Can you feed yourself, your family, and your two dogs?

– It’s possible, but it’s hellish work, of course. If we lived only on the salary that I receive in a taxi, we would not cope with it. However, thanks to the fact that my wife works remotely for the Ukrainian NV Radio, we manage to live. She doesn’t let me do heavy work due to my past illnesses. She worked as a loader at InPost, and as a packer at PsiBufet, then again at InPost, then at a mayonnaise factory.

– Is she from Kherson?

– Positive, she is from Kherson. Of course, she took on most of the burden in terms of supporting the family, I mean financially at the beginning. And now, thank God for that, we have somehow reached the level where I began to earn a little more as a taxi driver, and theatre projects have appeared for which they pay little money. Nonetheless, I get my fee.

– But that moment when you made the decision: “That's enough! I can’t go there and star in Russian TV series after Russia attacked Ukraine in this way.” Did they call you later with offers?

– Yes, there was a very funny situation, they called me and offered me a role in a movie that was to be filmed in Belarus, but filmed by Russians. That’s a common practice.

– Belarus (like Ukraine at the time) is a cheap movie stage.

– Right, and a film director called me personally and said: “Ihar, we have a main role. According to the scenario, 1939, Poland occupied Belarus, but, in general, it’s not about politics, but about people, about the situation.” I answered: “You see, I’m in Warsaw now, Poland.” A pause and he said: “So this is not your topic.” I replied: “Correct!”

– For those young people who, perhaps, have not reached this point in studying history. In 1939, dear friends, according to the joint decision of Stalin and Hitler, first the Third Reich, and then the Soviet Union, attacked Poland and divided it. And, for example, there was a famous joint parade of troops of the Red Army and the Third Reich in Brest. Does it happen that Belarusians get into a taxi and recognize you?

– They do. Some sit in my car for a while, and then they say: “Sorry, you look so much like one actor.” I say: “Well, I am that actor.” They were surprised: “How!? What are you doing in a taxi?” I answer: “Firstly, the question initially sounds: ‘Why are you here?” To which I’m to reply: ‘Why are you here? So, the same for me."

– Ihar, but not just a taxi. What's going on in your acting life here in Poland?

– I work together with the Free Kupalaucy, who left in 2020 as a sign of protest. Some of them are here in Poland now. Some in Warsaw, some in Lublin, some in Białystok.

– What plays do you take part in?

– Today, if I’m not mistaken, the Kupalaucy has already completed five or six projects here, if not more. The topics are basically clear.

– Burning topics?

– Yes. I also took part in Andrei Novik’s play called “Krystsina’s Sea.” This is a play about the 2020 events at Akrestsina [the prison is known for its torture of the Belarusian people and terrifying detention conditions during mass protests against dictator Lukashenka - Ed.]. It's About what happened inside there, behind the walls. I also have an offer to act in Polish cinema - the role of an NKVD officer. If I played fascists in Russian TV series and movies, this is quite natural, yes, but here I will play the role of an NKVD officer.

– What is the name of the play about Akrestsina?

– Krystsina’s Sea.

– Is it about the very Krystsina who is a sadist?

– You are right.

– Is it based on real events? Tell me please about it?

– Everything there is basically based on real events. The play was written by the author precisely from the words of people who were at the Akrestsina. The performance involves people who, roughly speaking, “had the pleasure” to be there.

– I am very close friends with a famous Ukrainian actress, Rimma Zyubina, who starred a lot in Russian TV series. From her, I heard a lot about the attitude of the production team and the directors of the Ukrainian actors and Russian actors. Ukrainians received second freshness, but Russian actors had fresh.She told stories, for example: Ukrainian actors were in an old car for stars, and a Russian assistant came to them and said: “We ask everyone to leave, the Actor is coming.” It was about a Russian actor, but the Ukrainians seemed not to be actors. Russians had taxis, Ukrainians were taking public transport. Please tell us about your experience of working with Russian groups?

– It's quite similar. I will say that regarding filming in Belarus, when the Russian series was being filmed, we were filming, let’s say like that: we called it “reload”, and you call it “starwagon”. It turned out that in one “starwagon” there were usually 3, 4, 5 Belarusian actors, but Russian actors, regardless of rank, stardom and popularity, always had a separate "starwagon".

– And there can be three of you.

– Yes. But again, to be completely honest: it’s because they have riders and they have agencies, everything was agreed.

– Did you have the feeling that you were treated like second-class people?

– I did. And I even had one situation when a Russian actress said: “I feel so sorry for you, aсtors from the margins.” In this regard, actors from Ukraine and actors from Belarus, we had the same...

– ...worst positions. Financially too?

– Sure, in terms of fees as well. If, for example, I received $300 per day of filming, being an Honored Artist of Belarus, then a fourth-year student at a Russian university who acted in films usually got at least $1500. Moreover, he even commented on my mistakes and advised me. In such situations, I never liked to boast that I was in Los Angeles for the Oscars. The movie with my participation was...

– ...a short film, let’s say so. For those who don't know, Ihar starred in a short film in 2010, which was nominated for an Oscar.

– It was a movie called “The Door” by Juanita Wilson. When he completely annoyed me, I just told him: “Were you at the Oscars?” He answered: “No!” And I said: “I was. Follow the Russian warship."

– Here's a question. All this indicates a very bad attitude. Then why did you consent to it?

– I will say that when acting in Russian TV series, even receiving $300 per day of filming, this is half the monthly salary at the theater.

– You had been working at the Republican Theater of Belarusian Drama for 20 years at and even was its director for several years. Is it true that the theatre website completely deleted information about you, as if such an actor and such a former director did not exist?

– Yes. Actually, my wife discovered this. She said: “Do you want to know some news from RTBD?” I replied “Ok. What did happen there?" She said: “Look, let’s open the page.” The theatre has existed since 1992. Its history began then. There is a story that begins 3-4 years ago, as far as I remember, on the official webpage.

That is, there is no mention of iconic plays, for example, “The Rise of Arturo Ui”, “Advechnaia Pesnia” (“Eternal Song”), which was the calling card of the RTBD for the last 10 years. It was removed.

– Where is everything going in Belarus?

– It will collapse. I think everything is coming to a logical conclusion. I want to believe that Belarus is finally going to become free. That is a free and democratic country. Still, Belarus will win together with Ukraine.

– Do you think this is the foreseeable future or...?

– I think so, nevertheless, in any case it will not last forever. The current situation in the world (I’m talking not only about Belarus) provides for changes. One way or another, something will change.

– Lets call a spade a spade. Lukashenka and Putin ruined the fates of millions of people. What should be the price for this?

– I fully agree. The Hague. Because these crimes cannot just remain like that. You can’t write off: “Oh, okay, let’s forgive. We changed the government. We won. Whatever, God bless!” God must be with us. And I have already said that one is responsible for every choice, for what one does. And the person must be responsible. You do good deeds - you will be rewarded for them, or you do bad deeds and you will also be rewarded for them. This is how it should be.

– I know that several years ago you had serious health problems. Can we talk about this?

– Yes. We can.

– What did happen?

– Are we talking about the first problem or the second? That is, I had two of them.

– I knew only about one. I knew you had cancer.

– Yes, I do. But in 2011 I also had a heart attack. I am a cyborg, I have two stents in my heart. And I had cancer in 2020, right at the time of the protests.

– Was it severe?

– Yes. There are unique doctors in Belarus. Because I had colon cancer and it also affected my bladder, the operation was difficult, but nevertheless they managed to cure it. And today I am doing well, and I am grateful to them for that. They gave me another chance to live on and enjoy this life.

– Ihar, there were probably moments when it was very difficult and very hard after the surgery. What helped you not to give up?

– My Wife. My wife and the Kupalaucy were coming to see me. I also had one rehabilitation month after the surgery. I was just coming out of it. Sure, because of chemotherapy. So, people supported me with text messages, in chats, but mostly it was my wife, who drove 50 kilometers there and 50 kilometers back every single day. There was such a case. I was in intensive care for about 3 or 4 days, and my wife, naturally, was not allowed in and she knew nothing about me. They told her that my condition was stable. She asked: “Why don’t you transfer him to the ward?” They answered: “Because the doctor hasn’t decided yet.” But she managed, maybe because she is Ukrainian, she managed to force them to let her in the intensive care. She checked that I was alive and that I was able to speak.

And the second situation that I liked was when I was still in intensive care. And this was after the protests, after 2020. They were doing a round in intensive care, I couldn’t say a lot because I was very weak. But I heard a conversation between doctors and the head of the department, who asked: “Who is he?” They answered: “His name is Ihar Sihau.” “Why has he been lying here in intensive care for three days, who is he?” And the doctor said: “He’s one of the Kupalauscy, let him lie down.” “Everything is clear, everything is fine. Let him lie then.” And it’s very pleasant, it really was like balm for my soul. I realized that everything would be fine.

– Ihar, let’s be completely honest. In Belarus, things got bad not in 2022, not in 2020, and not even in 2010. You also was silent for many years.

– Yes.

– So what was the final straw? When did you realize that? “I can no longer pretend and play the non-political role, I am doing art here.” When did it happen?

– It took almost 10 years to understand that I was wrong, that I was mistaken in my position regarding the fact that theatre is a non-political sphere and the like. And the last straw was the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine. In 2020, the cup was full, I already wanted to talk, but I still was scared.

But the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, and the way Russia began to react to it, the people, if you can call them humans, I mean the Russians, these posts of theirs... I realized that - that’s it, this is already beyond the bounds. I believe that the war is between good and evil. I mean that it’s mainly Ukrainians who suffer because they are getting more and more attacks. They were the first to start such an armed resistance.

– You said that your wife is from Kherson. There is such a rather scary statistic that more than 70% of Ukrainians have already lost someone in this war, and will lose their close people after 2022. Mothers, fathers, brothers, husbands, neighbors, classmates. Has anyone in your inner circle already died?

– Yes. I also had some Ukrainian acquaintances who died. We visited Kherson for almost 10 years in a row taking part in the Melpomene of Tavria with the RTBD theater company. Naturally, there are a lot of acquaintances, friends, people whom I knew, with whom we had parties to drink and relax. I know that some of them are no longer alive. Some were killed on the street, others were tortured in basements. I knew these people. I also know people who went over to the side of evil.

– There is such a stupid journalistic question that you can ask actors and people of culture. Do you know which one?

– No.

– What are your creative plans? But in relation to you, a person who left the native country, this question does not sound stupid enough. Panie aktorze (“Sir actor”), what are your creative plans? How do you imagine yourself in Belarus without Lukashenka? Maybe you want to become a theater director again?

– No. We've been through this before. But on the other hand, why not? But, most likely, not a theatre director, but an artistic director, for that matter, by status, by age. Although, of course, I still want to play on the theatre stage and in movies. Probably more in movies than on stage. Because it has its own features and its own problems.

– Yes, and they pay better.

– Yes, but I hope that in a free Belarus, it will still be a little different. And it’s about the profession, not about the money.

Money is just a way to survive, to live, so our incomes in Belarus, even while acting in Russian movies, if we take everything relatively and in general, we did not earn that much. It was enough to live on, but we could afford to go on holiday to Turkey or to London - no, there was no such opportunity. I mean financially. But it was possible just to make ends meet. I hope that in the new Belarus, the financial issue will be resolved because it is important for life.

– What are the necessary fundamental changes in Belarus without Lukashenka, if we are talking about your sphere?

– Firstly, this is censorship. What to play, what it's about, what to say and what not to say. This is not the theater that I see in free Belarus. It seems to me that theater should be free, any art should be free because this is precisely the mirror of power that shows where it is wrong. If you want, this is the will of the people, what the people are living by.

I think it's necessary to raise these issues. What we are doing here now with the Kupalaucy, with other actors, we are talking about what problems exist in Belarus now, that this is wrong, this should not be like that. We must have the right to vote, freedom of thought, freedom of speak without fear that, even if you are wrong, you will be imprisoned or killed for it. This is not a democratic country.

– If you were offered to play Lukashenka in a theatre or movie, would you agree?

– I would say that I had such an experience. Allegorically, but Valery Yuhenavich Mazynski, if I’m not mistaken, in 2000 as far as I remember, maybe a little earlier, staged the play called “The Rise of Arturo Ui” based on Brecht. When Lukashenka came to power, you remember, he had a handkerchief. I played the Arturo Ui role. When they asked: “Who did you stage the play about?” To which he brilliantly replied: “Who were you thinking about?” This is theatre for me. Even if it’s not direct, but allegorical, you understand what it’s about. So I had experience.

– Then it will be easy to answer my next question. Because you, actors, when you look at a character, the main thing for you is to capture the essence. What is Lukashenka's essence? How can you characterize him? What's there? What is it all about?

– “Piss around the corner.” He's ambitious, in the worst sense. A man who loves power. There is a joke about Lukashenka. Like he comes to his parliament and says: “I will no longer be president. Prepare for the coronation."

In fact, it seems to me that this is the essence. When he says: “My Belarus.” This is not his Belarus. And this attitude: “I know what and how. ME: In general, I almost..." As Slava Kamissaranka once said, “Saviour-Potato”. "I'm saving the whole world."

I think this is the point. I’m speaking now from the point of view of a former theater director, when you have some power, the main thing is not to get carried away with the fact that “you are God” and you know how and know what.

– This character got carried too far.

– More than.

– Many people, after the experience of 2020, and after a full-scale war began between Russia and Ukraine, live with the inner conviction that we’ll wait and they’re tired, and they want to live their own lives. How do you like this position?

– It's wrong. It is not right. Taking a neutral position is not the answer. I know young guys who have children and who were forced to leave... Not even forced, but they were simply kicked out of their apartment onto the street. But they remained true to their position. That's what I'm talking about. Everyone has a choice. And for me, today’s position of such neutrality is not a solution, it is wrong.

– The last question. How to win?

– Initially, you need to overcome your own fear. True, it is difficult, and I understand it perfectly. I'm not a fearless hero either. “I’m not afraid of anything and I went out right away.” No, it was scary, but I understood that I needed to break everything and start all over again at 55. It was scary. What will happen to housing there? What will happen in general? But when, after all, your position is a real human position and when you do not go against your conscience, you understand that yes, it will be from scratch, but still you are honest with yourself but you are living with yourself. Not even with someone else, you can deceive someone, but you cannot deceive yourself. And then you have to live with yourself for the rest of your life if you make the wrong choice. Because you are responsible for it.

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