Filmmaker Statement

I had just moved to Moscow to teach writing when Trump’s presidency flipped Cold War narratives. Conservatives, once anti-Russian, suddenly embraced Putin, a former KGB officer. Meanwhile, media buzzed with conspiracy theories about Russian election interference and Trump’s secretive meetings with Russian officials. This cultural shift inspired The Muskovite. The film follows a struggling, jobless trucker consumed by right-wing talk radio, where leftist threats loom large. As his reality warps, is he trapped in dystopia, losing his mind, or something worse? Blending satire with Soviet cinema influences — Stalker, Solaris, and The Needle — The Muskovite leaves the truth up to the viewer. Its 11:08 runtime marks Trump’s first election date. The title plays on "Muscovite" and hints at deeper irony. I hope you enjoy it.