Traditional Russian boots get a make over

(16 Feb 2009)
Moscow - January 28, 2009
1. Wide of ice fishermen on a frozen lake
2. Mid of ice fisherman
3. Close up of fish on ice
4. Set up of ice fishermen, two of them wearing valenki
5. Close up man shows his valenki
6. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Alexander, ice fisherman:
"You can wear them both in summer and in winter, and you will never get cold. They last forever! (Other man says): They are very warm!
7. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Alexander, ice fisherman:
"If you break through the ice, it's very simple - you get out of the water, wring them (valenki), wring your socks and clothes - and put them on. You will be cold only for 5 minutes - then your valenki will warm up again, anyway."
AP file
February 2006 - Kalyazin, Tver region
8. Various of a valenki factory
AP file (mute)
9. Various of Red Army soldiers in WWII
Moscow - February 2, 2009
10. Mid pan of valenki designed by Olga Chernikova
11. Mid of designer Olga Chernikova stitching valenki
12. Cutaway needle and thread
13. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Olga Chernikova, designer: (audio as incomming)
"We started improving the last, changed it a little. We even made knee-high valenki, kind of jack boots, for Fashion Week. Then we began to modify the colour and created coloured valenki."
14. Wide of valenki hanging on a wall
15. Close up of valenki with Che Guevara portrait, pan to valenki with Chelsea FC logo
16. Wide of girl trying on valenki
17. Close up of valenki, girl walking
18. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Olga Chernikova, designer (audio as incomming)
"Of course they are comfortable. First of all, they are almost weightless. Even a big, high cuffed valenki boot for hunters and fishermen, that can resist 30 or 50 degrees below zero, weighs about 400 grams. With these characteristics I think they can compete with UGGs and boots, because it's an environmentally friendly product, light and warm, your feet feel less tired. Valenki have healing properties, even for children."
19. Wide of people walking
20. Close up of feet, people walking
22. Mid of woman in the shoe store
23. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Lena, Moscow resident:
"I would prefer UGGs, yes, seriously. Why? I don't know, because... All my friends wear UGGs, and they all like it and feel comfortable, that's why I bought them too."
24. Close up of boots, Lena showing her Uggs
25. Wide of girls walking, one of them wearing Uggs
26. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Kseniya and Valeriya, Moscow residents
Kseniya:
"No, valenki are not hip!" Valeriya (off camera, interrupting): "And I would buy them!" Kseniya (off camera): "She would buy them!" Valeriya: "Yes, I would buy valenki and enjoy wearing them. It's so freezing now so it's all the same what you wear, it should be warm - that's the point!"
27. Close up of feet, people walking
LEAD IN :
Even though the winter temperature can go as low as 40 degrees below zero, Russians never get cold feet.
For centuries peasants have kept their feet dry and warm in traditional felt boots, called valenki.
Now valenki's are getting a makeover in an attempt to become the next fashion must-have.
STORYLINE:
Although nowadays city residents favour more fashionable footwear, valenki are still popular with country dwellers, hunters and everyone who spends a lot of time outside in the snow and ice.
Usually people wear valenki with rubber soles or put on galoshes to protect the felt from water.
Alexander, who spends almost every weekend in winter fishing, says that valenki are the best boots for ice fishermen, despite not being waterproof.
Indeed, valenki keep the body temperature, which makes them ideal footwear for any season.

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