Meet Yelena Krivosheyeva

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yelena Krivosheyeva. 

Hi Yelena, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Growing in up In Russia, I have been passionate about social issues and storytelling since I was very young. Maybe watching the Soviet Union crumble in front of my eyes and seeing people suffering in its ruins did it. As a consequence of pure luck, I worked for a local cable network since the age 14. By the time I was 19, I worked for a big city newspaper, writing countless articles about serious political or social issues, only to be rejected by my male superiors who pushed me back to cover stories considered suitable for female reporters, such as arts and entertainment. The political climate started to change with Putin coming to power so there didn’t seem to be a way for me to tell stories I found meaningful. It was this frustrating lack of freedom of speech and expression that led me to come to the United States to look for a different kind of American dream that most people might think of. I wanted to say what I wanted and be considered equal to a man if my skill set was on the same level. I moved to the States, completed a degree in Advertising but after working for a corporate America for a few years I have experienced an existential crisis. Things were going well for me career-wise and for the first time in my life I have experienced the meaning of financial security. That American dream everyone was talking about was definitely happening to me yet I felt restless. Why wasn’t my job changing lives and having impact like I have dreamed since I was a kid? I took a few screenwriting courses at Harvard Extension school just to exercise my creative muscles and that is where I had an epiphany that filmmaking was a form of storytelling, I was looking for my entire life. 

I moved to California, got my MFA in Directing, and for the last 4 years have been working in the industry as a producer/1st Assistant Director and have recently directed my latest short (number #8) titled “The Magic Ticket.” 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest struggles I have experienced was that as an immigrant, I had to make my way here as an outsider. My struggle for a cultural identity is a constant internal struggle. For years I was unsure what part of my background I should leave behind the door in order to gain entry to the new world. Am I Russian or American? 

In the current political climate with the atrocities that my country of origin is performing in Ukraine, it is even more difficult to embrace where I came from. 

In these moments of introspection, I remind myself that my Russian side makes me different without diminishing and taking away the fact that my story is a unique and interesting one. My cultural background is rich with literature, music, folklore, science; the list goes on and on. The portrayals of Russians in Hollywood are often negative, and with what is going on now, the hatred towards that nation will remain strong for the long time to come. As a filmmaker, I am committed to change stereotypes and tell stories that can redeem the Russians in the eyes of the world. Instead of looking around for a voice, I realize I only have to look deep within myself to find it. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an independent writer/director/producer. 

Through my work, I hope to achieve change in any smallest meaning of that word. As a former journalist, I have always have been driven by the passion for social issues therefore I inspire to tackle the topics that might seem uncomfortable. I want to create movies that spark discussion. Any small or big discussion will be enough achievement for me. I don’t dream of being popular or making a lot of money through my art and craft. All I want is to make people think. I believe with all my heart that in sparking the discussion the true change lies – the change begins when people start questioning existing beliefs, standards, and misconceptions. 

As a female coming from the background of a very conservative, patriarchal society, I am very much passionate about female issues, such as domestic or any other kind of violence against women, women’s right to choose what is best for her and her body, women equality in the workplace – just to name a few. All told from unique and diverse perspective. 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Since I have been talking about the struggle with cultural identity, I would like to say that, in my opinion, Los Angeles is the city who does really well with embracing all the different elements, cultures, and voices that it contains, and it’s all those voices that make LA what it is. Just like any major American city, LA is a true immigrant, so it is easier to fit in here. I spent over a decade living in Boston which is very much more conservative and is not as diverse as Los Angeles. 

I have a dual nature of my feelings for this city. There are things about LA that I love. To start with, obviously, the film industry. But also, there is a ton of diversity, great food, amazing and consistent weather, martial arts culture, the ocean, year-round farmers’ markets. And there are of course things that I hate like traffic and no rain ever. 

Contact Info:

• Website: themagicticketfilm.com
• Instagram: @lenushkavk
• Facebook: @Lena Krivosheyeva

Image Credits
Willie Kimbrough
Khoi Nguyen