Damir and Natasha Gibadullin's 8-year old boy, Roma, quickly befriended me and helped translate with his broken school English. With pride, they all gave me an incredible tour of the whole facility, as curious eyes followed us around. Later as we sat upstairs in their dressing room, we asked each other many questions about each others' lives and work. They all yearn to perform in a Western country, and dream of going to the US, but those aspirations are out of their control. Their lives are comfortable in the Soviet Union, because the paycheck of a circus performer comes from the government and after 20 years of working, every performer will receive a monthly pension for life.
All medical care is, of course, free.
And to top it off, all artists, performers, and dancers have the career respect that doctors and lawyers have in this country - they're admired professionals, but have the added glory of celebrity. Damir spoke with the attitude that The System may have its faults, but it was the best. But seeing it all, close up, left me claustrophobic. The fact that I have unlimited choices in my life kept slapping me in the face. They escorted me to the best seat in the house to see the show again, and I took several roles of film.