Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

By Pictolic

In the noughties, the fearless American photographer Bruce Gilden, known for his filming of "street life", went to the Urals.

In a God-forsaken village 70 km from Yekaterinburg, he discovered a kind of" Middle Ages " — this is how the American characterizes the life of bandits from the Russian hinterland, with whom he happened to meet. And this is not surprising, because what he saw and captured on the camera of Bruce can cause a shock not only to the American, but also to the average Russian.

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

The photographer spent several days side by side with criminals, drug addicts and other "lost people".

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

During filming, Gilden bought his new "friends" vodka and meat to gain confidence.

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

The main characters of the series of photos of Bruce were the bandit Sergei Polovtsev, nicknamed the Boar, and his friends-accomplices.

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

Bruce called his photo series "Picnic with Sergey". The pictures taken during the picnic are his favorites.

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

According to Bruce, " Sergei can break a man in half with his bare hands, but he's a good guy."

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

The tattoo of a cat on Sergey's leg means "Native inhabitant of the prison" (abbreviation CAT).

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

The last time he went to prison, he was defending his mother. The abuser suffered grievous bodily harm.

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

Now Sergey is a "businessman" — he "protects" trucks from Tajikistan transporting drugs, and "solves problems".

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

All the heroes of the shooting live in a cycle of vodka, violence and crime, guided by the well — known saying "The sooner you sit down, the sooner you get out".

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

Yuri Potapenko is 56 years old, of which he spent 30 in prison. Now Yuri has been rehabilitated and works in a public organization that helps former prisoners in Yekaterinburg.

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

Vasily Novoselov, aka the Grandfather, served time for the murder of his stepfather. Bruce does not hide the fact that this photo is staged. However, the photographer believes that it perfectly reflects the hopelessness of life in the Russian province:

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer

Bruce has always been attracted to the marginal strata of the population. Among his previous works are portraits of members of the Yakuza mafia in Japan, members of motorcycle gangs, beggars and prostitutes.

Bandits from the Ural hinterland in the lens of an American photographer