Alexei Mishin: Between the Stars

Natasha told me about this documentary, Alexei Mishin: Between the Stars, which she absolutely loved.  I watched it last night knowing a bit of what is covers and my ten Pimsleur Russian lessons.  It is definitely worth seeing, even if only for the skimming value.

Fun Tidbits:

Mishin spends a great deal of time going into Yagudin's decision to leave him.  Mishin recounts the night when he called Alexei to his office (who was a bit drunk), who said that he loved him but felt he loved Mishin for.  He also claimed not to know who he would be training with when he left.  Mishin felt that Yagudin could only focus on jumps and wasn't as light on his feet or as capable of choreography as Plushenko.  This is quite a contrary view from Western fans who grew to adore Yagudin's programs under Tarasova and Morozov.

This documentary is very much from Mishin's point of view, but Tarasova, Moskvina, Plushenko, Yagudin and Urmanov are all interviewed.  Plushenko and Urmanov claim to be very similar in terms of character.  Both always needed to push ahead and be first on the ice.  Plushenko admits to being very glad when Yagudin left because he received all of Mishin's attention.

Mishin blames himself for the loss in Salt Lake City due to a miscalculation and arriving at the Olympics too early.

Mishin calls Plushenko 'a Picasso on ice.'  It is somewhat fitting, as Plushenko is certainly not knowing for exhibiting beautiful clean lines or coherent images or stories on the ice.  Margaret Thatcher claims Zhenya's nose is certainly the work of Picasso.

As usual, the Russian documentaries are wildly entertaining with all sorts of talk about temperament and character.