Valeria Gai Germanika: Pets Provide Therapy, Including a Pig

Valeria Gai Germanika is one of the most unusual directors in Russian cinema. Her work does not leave viewers indifferent: some criticize her for being notorious, others praise her unconventional approach to filming.

The theme of the new issue from our colleagues at Marie Claire is ‘In the World of Animals.’ And Valeria became one of the heroines of the issue. We lift the veil of secrecy and tell what the director talked about in the interview.

In total, Valeria has 11 pets: six cats, two dogs, a rabbit, and a mini-pig. According to the director, it was the animals that helped her cope with crisis situations in life.

‘I got a pig when I most needed support. My husband was abroad, and we were heading towards a breakup. I saw cute pigs in my feed, asked my husband if I could get a mini-pig. He even allowed two, but I acted reasonably, chose one — “to try,”’ she recalled in a conversation with Marie Claire.

Valeria«s mini-pig is named Dorian. He has been living in the Germanika family for three years. According to the director, ‘a pig’s character is the highest manifestation of solipsism, egoism, and individualism.’

‘Dorian lives for himself. In the world, there is him and those who serve him. But sometimes I feel sentimentality in him. He looks like a lout, but his soul organization is delicate. By the way, he is the cleanest of our animals — he doesn’t smell, doesn’t make a mess, picks up food he scattered, goes to the toilet only outside. If the door is closed, he screams to be let out. This advantageously distinguishes him from others,’ Germanika says warmly.

‘I don’t cuddle dogs and cats, but I can jokingly touch Dorian the pig on the butt. But I got lucky — he is docile, doesn’t misbehave… A pig is a foodie, constantly looking for food, that’s its nature. Checking if you have something tasty hidden, it can bite painfully — they say, even more than a dog,’ the director notes.

Another unusual pet is the polydactyl Maine Coon Rosa. The cat appeared in the Germanika household three years ago.

‘Once guests came, and I forgot to warn them not to leave bags in plain sight. Dorian turned out the contents, and the others dragged everything around the house. That’s how we found out what everyone has in their bag — gum cream, chewing gum, pads. The cat was carrying a push-up bra in its teeth…’ Germanika recalls with a laugh.

As the director admits, assistants help her manage the care of the pets, but finding them is quite a task. According to Valeria, many don’t want to live near so many animals even for decent money.

‘I am grateful to all my animals for being with me during the difficult period of separating from my husband. Caring for them helps a lot to distract from various worries. Morning cleaning of cat litter boxes is great therapy. Now we are preparing to move. I will take everyone with me, never abandon them,’ she shares.

Earlier we told how a 47-year-old doctor from the Moscow region became a hero in Germanika’s films. Also read an interview with director Yegor Konchalovsky.