In the early 2000s, Peter Pomerantsev (the son of Russian political exiles) came to Moscow to work in the fast-growing television industry. He was perfectly placed to witness the transformation of the New Russia on its journey from communist collapse to a new form of dictatorship.

In this episode, he reflects upon the fractured nature of a country (and its people) that has moved so quickly from communism to capitalism, where the difference between 'public' and 'private' selves can, by necessity, be extreme. Realising that he can't maintain such psychological divisions, he decides to return to London.

Written by Peter Pomerantsev

Read by Justin Salinger

Abridged by Robin Brooks

Produced by Kirsteen Cameron

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2015. Show less