Watch ‘Automobile’, the pop song celebrating queer Russian love

Roma Danilov ft. Chido: “Automobile”

Singer and songwriter Roma Danilov is one of the brightest voices in a new wave of independent Russian pop. But he is also equally committed to amplifying queer experiences — “Automobile” is a love story inspired by Danilov’s real-life relationship with his boyfriend, the blogger and LGBTQ+ activist Sasha Rakhmanov. (You can catch a glimpse of their life together in The Calvert Journal feature on Russian queer homes). The video, directed by Marina Basistaya, shows us golden fields and sunsets, as well as real moments of intimacy that confront and unravel what it means to love and be loved.