To Russia with Love, the new documentary that premieres tonight on EPIX, follows out athletes like Johnny Weir, Anastasia Bucsis, Belle Brockoff in the days leading up to and during the Sochi Olympic Games. Prior to the games, Russia enacted strict laws against “homosexual propaganda” which essentially put tight restrictions on any demonstrations of gay pride and stirred up an overall culture of fear and hatred toward the Russia LGBT community. Gay athletes were put in a challenging situation: Should they boycott the games or should they attend and make a political statement, which could possibly endanger their freedom?
Throughout the documentary, which is narrated by Jane Lynch and led by Johnny Weir, these athletes are forced to make some tough calls. Weir, who received a considerable amount of flack from the LGBTQ community about his stance on the Games, has quite a fascinating journey in the documentary. Using his commentator wardrobe as a subversive way to buck the system, Weir teamed up with EPIX to secretly film To Russia with Love during the Games themselves. The film also follows Russian LGBTQ activists Konstantin Yablotskiy and Elvina Yuvakaeva in their struggle and dogged determination to put on the first Russian Open Games.
AfterEllen had a chance to speak to out Canadian speedskater Anastasia Bucsis, who is featured prominently in the documentary.
AfterEllen: You recently attended the premiere of To Russia with Love. What was it like to watch yourself wrestle with these major conflicting feelings, now so many months after the Olympics?
Anatasia Bucsis: Seeing the final product of To Russia with Love was absolutely amazing. We filmed for six months so I was a little nervous to see how everything would come together. I kept asking myself, “Am I going to be boring? Did I say anything stupid? Does the camera really add 10lbs?” [laughs] But to watch the final cut and see my own personal journey throughout the film was incredibly nostalgic. I grew so much within that time period that I’m thankful it was captured. I’m very proud of the message that is portrayed throughout the film and I really hope that my story will help and inspire anyone that is struggling to come out of the closet.
AE: What was the atmosphere like in Sochi? In the film, we see peaceful protesters hauled away fro holding signs. Was there a tension in the air?
AB: There was a tension in the air but I have to admit, the protest zones were located miles away from the Olympic Village/Park and so I saw no actual protests. It was like there was an elephant in the room; on one hand it was this amazing experience. And on the other, it was haunting to know that laws based off of bigotry and discrimination robbed me of that joy. I just hope that the LGBT community in Russia realizes that it isn’t alone and that the world supports and stands with them.
AE: You were able to share your experience in Sochi with your partner Charline Labonte, who is a phenomenal athlete herself and goaltender for the Canadian Olympic hockey team. She came out this summer in Outsports, a little less than a year after you also publicly came out. That is a big deal and I commend you both. How has coming out publicly changed your life?
AB: Coming out publicly has changed my life in the best way possible. I have the absolute freedom to be myself. It’s amazing the magic you’ll experience when you let go of your concern of what others may or may not think of you. I’m not only happier, I realize that I’m more valuable to society as a whole because I’m comfortable in my own skin and confident to fully use my strengths.
AE: What can you tell us about Fast and Female, of which you are an ambassador?
AB: Fast and Female is an amazing organization founded by my good friend, Olympic Gold medalist in Cross Country Skiing Chandra Crawford. Girls are six times more likely to drop out of sport than boys and Fast and Female is trying to eliminate this statistic. We provide a number of sporting workshops and empowerment seminars to show girls how strong and special they are. I think the world of female sport is in an amazing place right now; it’s a good time to be a girl. Please go to www.fastandfemale.com to check it out!
AE: I know from Twitter that you took some time out from skating for a few months. What have your been up to and do you feel recharged now?
AB: I definitely needed a break after the Olympics! I knew that I was tired and burnt out-which was incredibly hard to admit-but deep down, I knew that if I were to continue training I would be simply going through the motions (which is not how I want to live my life, on or off of the ice). I’ve been taking classes at McGill University and am enjoying the new challenges of full time school. I’m still training and will build up my fitness to begin the 2015-2016 competitive season for the beginning of May.
I’ve absolutely loved my time in Montreal. Charlineis born and raised here so it’s amazing to be here with her and see another world of elite sport-women’s hockey. It should be noted that I’m diligently practicing my slap shot in hopes that one day I’ll score a goal on her. So far, I actually haven’t been able to hit the net, so I still need some practice.
AE: There has been some major strides in the last few years, but the professional athletic world is not known for their welcoming attitude towards LGBTQ athletes? How can we make the culture of sports more welcoming to them?
AB: It’s obviously an incredibly exciting time within both the sporting and LGBT communities. A good friend of mine (and a huge part of To Russia with Love), Mark Tewksbury, recently said that what’s unfolding is like the first few kernels of popcorn popping. Athletes are coming out of the closet at an unprecedented rate; however, we obviously have a long way to go in moving away from “tolerance” to “acceptance.”
When I was coming out of the closet-2012-I was so incredibly lonely and anxious. I had no one to connect or relate to within my sport. I struggled to accept myself because I felt so alone. I experienced a loneliness that didn’t go away regardless of how many people I surrounded myself with. I think that the fact that we’re actually having the conversation regarding sexuality and sport is a huge step in the right direction and it inspires me to see a better future. I struggled so much to come out of the closet that I promised myself that I would try and make the world (especially the sporting community) a brighter place for LGBT kids.
It does get better, and I hope every LGBT kid (regardless if they’re an athlete or not) knows that they are loved, special, and that they make this world a brighter place.
Legendary athlete and activist Billie Jean King also participated in the film, and plays a pivotal role in the life of a young gay man named Vladislav Slavskiy, whom the documentary also follows. She was kind enough to speak with us while in the midst of traveling.
AE: What was it like getting a call from President Obama asking you to be a part of the US Olympic Delegation.
Billie Jean King: It was an honor to go and represent our nation on the international stage. To join Eric Heiden and Bonnie Blair—two superstars—was not only great fun, but very inspirational. It was very different than going as a coach like I did previously. But it was so special.
AE: To Russia with Love is such a moving documentary, and one of the parts the hit me so hard was the conversation you had with the young Russian man named Vladislav. You appeared very moved by his words and experience. What were you thinking at that moment?
BJK: I wanted to hear from him about the conditions for the LGBTQ community in Russia and I kept saying to myself, I have to help this man. I have to do what I can.
You can watch To Russia with Love on Epixhd.com now, or catch the premiere this evening on the EPIX channel at 8pm EST.
