The Netflix series “Inventing Anna” premiered on Feb. 11, and is based on the true story of the 31-year-old Anna Sorokin, a Russian woman who claiming to be Anna Delvey — an heiress to the fortune of a German millionaire. The series reveals how she penetrated the New York elite and then committed multiple financial frauds using her false identity. Banks, hotels and wealthy friends lost around $275,000 to her scams, but her appetite was much greater; and a $22 million fraud was foiled at the last moment.
The imposter was arrested in 2017 and was later sentenced to four years in prison.
Netflix paid Anna Sorokin $320,000 for the right to make a series about her, which also enabled her to pay back what she owed due to her scams. However, the film producer also did her one more favor: Sorokin was portrayed in a positive light, as a person whose crimes could be attributed to traumatic childhood experiences.
Unlike those who she stole from, she appears to the viewer as a victim who deserves compassion. Why? Because you are supposed to forgive Russians. After all, behind “Inventing Anna” is the question about the unreadable Russian soul.
The Netflix show quickly became the most streamed series on the platform, and it made a celebrity out of a thief. She already has over a quarter million followers on Instagram and HBO is working on the next screenplay of her story.
All things considered, the series is a prime example illustrating the attitude of the West toward Russia. Russia can steal and deceive the West and despite that, it will continue to forgive her, and on top of that, pay serious money for the right to be abused. After all, Russia’s behavior is justified due to its traumatic experiences and its unfathomable soul.
For Putin, such traumatizing experiences include the dissolution of the Soviet Union and establishment of an independent Ukraine. That is why he was forgiven for his invasion against Georgia, the annexation of Crimea, the war in Donbass, and so on.
“Inventing Anna” premiered less than two weeks prior to Russia’s attack against Ukraine. Is the genocide over the Dnieper River, carried out by the aggressor, capable of permanently changing the West’s attitude towards Russia?
Perhaps, or maybe we will instead once again watch the next season of “Inventing Vladimir,” which has been airing since 1999.
