Milo Rau Swiss director Country: Switzerland

1. Biography of Milo Rau
2. The Unexpected Scandal
3. The Purpose of the Play
4. The Motives of Pussy Riot
5. Future Plans and Departure

Biography of Milo Rau

Milo Rau is a Swiss director who gained widespread attention and controversy for his play "Moscow Trials" at the Sakharov Center. The play recreated trials related to the exhibitions "Forbidden Art" and "Beware, Religion!" as well as the trial of Pussy Riot members. The spectacle was interrupted by FMS officers and Cossacks, sparking a significant reaction from the public and media.

The Unexpected Scandal

In an interview, Rau expressed his surprise at the events that unfolded during the performance. He never expected that individuals would approach him in the middle of the play to inquire about his documents. It was an incredible experience for him, as he had been in the country for several months without any issues concerning his visa. Thankfully, after confirming the validity of his visa, the officers left without further incident.

The Purpose of the Play

Rau's play was not solely focused on the Pussy Riot case, despite some Russian media reports suggesting otherwise. The performance was a kind of judicial show where the prosecution clashed with the defense. Various individuals were invited to represent different viewpoints, including Maxime Shevchenko from the prosecution and Anna Stavitskaya from the defense. Rau aimed to delve into what had happened and understand the motives behind the actions of Pussy Riot.

The Motives of Pussy Riot

When asked about his thoughts on Pussy Riot, Rau emphasized that he wanted to explore the events that occurred. He believed that Katya Samutsevich explained their motives well, stating that their actions were a political protest against Vladimir Putin's regime rather than an attack on the Church or Orthodox believers. Rau's role as a director was to provide a balanced representation of different perspectives on stage, acting as a moderator between them.

Future Plans and Departure

Despite the scandal, Rau stated that it would not affect his plans. He intended to stay in Russia until Thursday evening to complete work on a documentary film. Afterwards, he would be leaving for Germany.