I ask myself whether Russia is moving in the direction of democracy. I don't believe it is! Bit by bit, Russia is slipping back into an authoritarian empire.

The Khodorkovsky case is typical of the "oprichnina" - the system of oppression.

In Russia there are special people who are permitted to do anything. They are the sacrificial priests of power. Anyone who is not a member of this group has no clout with the state.

In Russia one can be as pure as can be and still lose everything in a flash and end up in prison.

As a storyteller I was influenced by the Moscow underground, where it was common to be apolitical.

The bureaucracy has grown such powerful roots in Russia, and corruption is so widespread, that people from opposition have no interest in changing anything.

In Russia only those who are loyal to the people in power can become wealthy.