“Stay home, be safe and masturbate.” That’s the comedic, yet serious, message from the cast of the highly anticipated web series, From Russia with Motive. The cast, following in the footsteps of NFL players and HBO’s The Watchmen, has released a 6:20 Public Service Announcement video on social media, urging people to stay home, wash hands for twenty seconds and be safe.
Currently, there are a total of 6,932 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state of California. On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsome said 1,617 of those who tested positive are hospitalized, with 657 in intensive care. There have been 629 new cases since Sunday at 2 p.m., the last available data posted on the California Department of Public Health.
Aimed mainly at Gen Z and millennials, in which an alarming 23% do not believe COVID-19 is a serious crisis according to a new study by Swytchback, the video’s purpose is to not only persuade them that the crisis is real, but educate as well.
The video features cast members Charlotte Roi (Natasha), Jessie Nolé (Svetlana), Valerie Schrementi, Evette Murphy, Brook Penca, Todd Waller, Erica Burns and Betsy Jill Jackson.
In character they deliver the message in a way, only the From Russia with Motive cast characters can – being funny, sexy and well, not safe for work. Watch below:
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“Coronavirus is real and although we’ve heard it mainly affects older people and those with existing conditions, everyone is at risk,” says FRWM co-creator Charlotte Roi. “Jessie (FRWM co-creator Jessie Nolé) and I felt we needed to make millennials, of which we’re both a part of, aware of the seriousness of the situation. But we are also artists and entertainers, so we wanted to get our message across in a way only Natasha and Svetlana could.”
“I think there’s three things to really see in our situation. We are all one and have the power to change things if we work together. Good energy is just as contagious as the virus! Which is why you should never underestimate the power of comedy to deliver a serious message. And who better than Svetlana?”
From Russia with Motive has been in the works for two years. According Roi and Nolé, they crafted the idea (which is a labor of love) while on set for another film. “We were the only two Vegans on set, so while we were hunting for food we could eat, we thought of Natasha and Svetlana,” Nolé shared.
Here’s the official synopsis: “Fleeing their poor Russian village, two sisters Natasha and Svetlana, fly to Beverly Hills with hopes and wet dreams of meeting rich American men. The two are determined to live their lives as who they are without being judged as they battle stereotypes about Eastern European and Transgender women. The two also get an education about their misconceptions of America.
The series stars Charlotte Roi, Jessie Nolé, Julia Kostenovich, Peter Lucas, Megan Henry, Sergio Kopelev, Todd Waller, Erica Burns, Evette Murphy, Betsy Jill Jackson, Sasha Koziak, Alexander Dean Williams, Brook Penca, Valerie Schrementi, Chequamegon and Lillian Lev.
Season One is expected to premiere in June.
Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1
