New comedy web series wraps production in QLD for Not Russian Anywhere – Brisbane: Production has wrapped on Annisa Belonogoff’s Not Russian Anywhere, a new comedy narrative series for Instagram, funded by Screen Australia in association with Screen Queensland.
Natalya’s uterus is trying to kill her, she’s back in her dusty rural hometown, crashing with her eccentric Russian family, dodging their relentless questions, and pretending she’s totally fine. But between the wildlife, the unsolicited life advice, and the creeping realisation that she might actually be stuck here… one thing’s for sure—she’s Not Russian Anywhere.
Created, written and produced by Showrunner Annisa Belonogoff, the series is directed by Aimée-Lee Xu Hsien, written by Belonogoff, Xu Hsien and Nicole Scharf, and produced by Belonogoff, Scharf & Lucinda Bruce.
Not Russian Anywhere explores the cultural chasm felt by many Australians of multicultural backgrounds who sit between two worlds.
Showrunner Annisa Belonogoff explains
“I’ve spent my life being told two things: One, my chronic pain was ‘just in my head.’ And two, my Russian family had to be the villains. Turns out, both were total nonsense. After 17 years of misdiagnosis, I finally learned my body wasn’t just ‘sensitive’—it was waging a full-scale war thanks to Endometriosis and Adenomyosis. And as for my family? The most loving people I know, but the closest thing I ever had to a terrifying Russian mobster was my dad stepping on Lego barefoot. And trust me, that was scary enough.”
“This series isn’t just about one woman trying (and failing) to outrun her past—it’s about generations of women navigating what it means to be family. From my Bubba’s old-world wisdom to my mother’s battle to balance tradition with modern life, to me just trying to get through the day without someone diagnosing me with ‘not enough babies’ syndrome, it’s a clash of ideals, expectations, and survival tactics. Somehow, we’ve merged Russian resilience with Aussie chaos, like nesting dolls in Akubra hats, passing down stories, advice, and just a little bit of vodka. So why hasn’t anyone put this madness on screen before? My Bubba has a simple answer: ‘Because they weren’t Russian.’”
Not Russian Anywhere draws upon the painfully entertaining quirks of growing up between two cultures, which resonated for Writer / Director Aimée-Lee Xu Hsien.
“Annisa and I instantly bonded over our shared experience growing up and struggling to live up to the expectations and identity of two cultures. For her it was Russian/Australian and for me it was Chinese/Australian. When you’re constantly being quizzed on where you ‘really’ come from, it leads to an identity crisis we both chose to funnel into comedy.”
Screen Queensland’s Chief Creative Officer Dr Belinda Burns said that Screen Queensland is proud to support Annisa Belonogoff’s Not Russian Anywhere through the agency’s Channel Lab: Short Cuts initiative.
“Screen Queensland is dedicated to amplifying and scaling Queensland’s digital-first screen storytellers with content that is exciting, fresh and original.. We are excited by the talent emerging from Queensland and we are committed to championing these online creators to reach global audiences.”
Not Russian Anywhere stars Annisa Belonogoff as Natalya, joined by an ensemble of talented actors including Reagan Mannix (Black Snow, Boy Swallows Universe, The Narrow Road to the Deep North), Felicity Jurd (Bump, Deadly Woman), Mirko Gillini (Paper Dolls, In Our Blood, Joe Vs Carole) and newcomers, Inga Romantsova and Bronte Bailey.
Not Russian Anywhere is an 8 x 3 minute web series, filmed in Brisbane, QLD.
Production credit: Not Russian Anywhere is an Anakie Street Production for Instagram. Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with Screen Queensland.
ABOUT NOT RUSSIAN ANYWHERE:
Natalya Ivanov (Ivanova – femme) always considered herself a normal Australian. Or at least, she tried to. But wherever she turned, there was one inescapable problem: her family. They’re Russian. Passionately Russian. And now, her body has joined the list of things making her life difficult.
After an altercation with her fiancé, Natalya has no choice but to head home to the outback—and her immigrant family. The dirt, dust, and native wildlife have never been her thing, but neither has dealing with chronic pain, exhaustion, and a uterus that seems hell-bent on ruining her life. Naturally, her family is suspicious. And when a Russian family is suspicious, they investigate.
To keep her secrets from a house full of wannabe spies, Natalya will have to outmanoeuvre their schemes while navigating a body that refuses to cooperate. She’ll have to survive unsolicited health advice, misguided old-world remedies, and her family’s relentless belief that vodka fixes everything. And if she’s going to make it through this, she may just have to learn to love them for the chaotic, over-the-top force they are—because, as her father always says:
‘Семья сама важная, остольное нечто.’ ‘Family is the most important, everything else is nothing.’
A sentiment that’s about to test her in more ways than one. One thing is for sure: right now, she’s Not Russian Anywhere.
Media Release – abcgfilm
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New comedy web series wraps production in QLD for Not Russian Anywhere
