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The Russians are extreme people: they are generous but crazy at the same time. They always have something to say, and I really like that.

Russians aren't perfect. Their politics are messed up, and they keep going through self-defeating economic cycles. But I have a lot of respect for Russia, and a lot of love for Russians.

I first came to Russia because of the culture, literature and music... and my interest in the 19th-century revolutionary spirit of Herzen, Bakunin and Kropotkin. Russia is a wonderful place to bring new clowns because Russians give back a wonderful response.

I love Russia. Some people love Africa, some people love Mexico, some people love purple, the color purple. I love Russia, and I'm not scared to say it.

I didn't choose Russia but Russia chose me. I had been fascinated from an early age by the culture, the language, the literature and the history to the place.

The Russians are a very sentimental people.

I'm very inspired by the artfulness and soulfulness of the Russian people.

I had studied Russian in college. I had gotten into it first through literature and then just really found it kind of fascinating; of course, this was during the Cold War. So they were kind of the other great enemy that you grew up hearing about.

In American films, Russians are often portrayed like cartoon villains without clear motivations.