Host (Viktor Dremsizov): We continue now with the topic of John Malkovich's play "Arms and the Man" by Bernard Shaw, with PR expert Maxim Behar.

Host (Maria Konstantinova): Could the ugly scenes we saw in front of the National Theatre have been avoided? Mr. Behar, hello!

Maxim Behar: Good morning!

Host: Thank you very much for joining us. Earlier, we heard an opinion from politician Ivaylo Shopski, describing it as a "well-orchestrated action in front of the National Theatre." Did it seem that way to you as well?

Maxim: I have no idea, to tell you the truth. I feel sorry because what I've been doing for 30 years is trying to present Bulgaria as an open country full of young, intelligent, well-educated, and ambitious people—which is indeed the case. But such minor incidents unfortunately tarnish our image before the world. You know, protests can happen anywhere, anytime—in America, France, Spain—these are countries where there are all sorts of protests every day. I have no idea if anyone has ever protested against productions, directors, or films—it might have happened—but the police should have done their job properly. They should have surrounded the theatre with a cordon so that people who bought tickets could enter to watch the performance. I'm not the one to say whether it's good or bad. I happened to meet John Malkovich on Monday—absolutely by chance, we were having lunch at adjacent tables—and we talked. I told him that I was very sorry about what was happening and the way the media and people were insulting him. He said that it didn't bother him—he was here to present the play, and everyone has the right to an opinion. And he's absolutely right because he lives in another world—he is an artist. Whether he puts on a good or bad production can only be judged by the audience.

Host: Could it be that people were offended that a foreigner was staging this play in Bulgaria? You're a PR expert. Did the PR strategy achieve its goal of everyone talking about John Malkovich, and could this provocation have been intentional? I'm asking you deliberately—the date November 7th was chosen for the premiere of this play, which is about the Serbo-Bulgarian War.

Maxim: I don't believe there's a PR strategist in Bulgaria so intelligent as to prepare such an action to make John Malkovich famous. Besides, I think that the last thing John Malkovich aims for in life is to become famous in Bulgaria or anywhere else. Whatever he's accomplished, he did so long ago. No, this wasn't a provocation but an ordinary demonstration—people who disagree without knowing at all. We all agree that those people we heard and saw yesterday and this morning have no clue about this play, let alone Bernard Shaw, let alone having read it. Moreover, you know that this play has already been staged in Bulgaria. Quite the opposite—we should be extremely pleased that a foreign director is coming to stage something in Bulgaria, especially in the theatre. Otherwise, many films are shot in Bulgaria; there are successful producers and directors who come. Everyone knows that over the past ten years, a whole slew of actors have come—Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, and many others. No one said anything about that; quite the opposite—these people bring a positive image to Bulgaria. They contribute to Bulgaria being spoken of positively in global cultural circles.

Host: What are we showing as a nation with these scenes we saw in front of the National Theatre, Mr. Behar?

Maxim: You know, 300-400 people, or however many there were, cannot define a nation. They cannot be a representation of what Bulgaria is. Just like in America, when you go to Harlem and see people living in poverty—that's not all of America. America is a diverse country with everything, just like Bulgaria. However, I do disagree that the police didn't take measures when it comes to such a drastic expression against people who want to enjoy culture, after all. Yes, it's outrageous, and I absolutely disagree—it pains me because Bulgaria will again appear in negative articles or reports. It won't be the first, and probably not the last time, but this shouldn't be allowed because it's about culture. There are people who want to watch this play—let them watch it. I'm not sure that this involves the Bulgarian taxpayer's money, as many people say. The tickets, as far as I know, were quite expensive; there are several performances, and they would surely cover Malkovich's fee, the actors, the sets, the scenography, and everything else that accompanies a production.

Host: Everyone has the right to choose, yes. Thank you very much for this comment and for joining our broadcast.

Maxim: Thank you for dedicating time to this topic. It's not only topical but super important for Bulgaria, so we can understand where we are, who is where, and what they think.

 

Watch the full interview here.