What an awesome topic! While a more modern form of entertainment, films are a fantastic reflection of culture. I especially liked the adoption of the musical comedy with a combination of socialist realism. I agree that quirky is the best way to describe the films that came out during this time. Have you watched all the films you linked to? If so, which one is your favorite?
Month: March 2018
Comment on The Party Don’t Start Until Russia Walks In by Ethan.R
Great post, I learned a lot! I had no idea that many got to experience such a luxury item like champagne in the Soviet era. Even more, I found it interesting that champagne had been reserved for NEPmen, I imagine that if you have the connections, you w…
Comment on The Party Don’t Start Until Russia Walks In by Ethan.R
Great post, I learned a lot! I had no idea that many got to experience such a luxury item like champagne in the Soviet era. Even more, I found it interesting that champagne had been reserved for NEPmen, I imagine that if you have the connections, you w…
Comment on The Use of Propaganda in Films by Ethan.R
It is very interesting to learn about how the movie industry took off in Soviet Russia. Especially during World War II, I imagine you could find many parallels between Soviet newsreels and American newsreels as well as movies. As the Soviet Union became notorious for their use of propaganda films, it is interesting that they declined into the 1960’s.
Comment on Central planning meets film: The censorship of a mass medium by kschnabel
I would agree that true art cannot be restricted. However in the case of Aleksandrov’s Happy-Go-Lucky Fellows, Aleksandrov was able to accomplish a great feat by creating the first Soviet musical. In this case, his film did not necessarily exist to spread a political message, instead it sought to create a humorous film with musical numbers that would appeal to a mass audience. On the other hand, Chapaev had a stronger political message and it is likely that the Soyukino played a larger role in the writing process.
Comment on Episode 4: A New Purge by clairesuttonrussia
Always look for your post every week and it did not disappoint. I like how you focused on this topic I feel like we kind of glossed over it and downplayed it so I’ve been doing a little bit more research on it. It is absolutely insane what happened during these purges and it definitely needs to be highlighted more.
Comment on Central planning meets film: The censorship of a mass medium by kschnabel
Thank you! My discussion of Happy-Go-Lucky Fellows was supposed to provide an example of a popular film that was not blatant propaganda.
Comment on Central planning meets film: The censorship of a mass medium by dianaschulberg
Your post brings up an interesting point about the creation of art in all its forms under a heavily censored government. Many people would argue that under such extreme censorship, true art can never be fully expressed but it is art created in these cases that art shows a fair amount of strength in working to gets its message across while also skirting the edges of legality. Is this piece of film really propaganda or is it turning such on its head?
Comment on The Party Don’t Start Until Russia Walks In by Diana Schulberg
I did the Soviet Champagne too! I think it is particularly interesting how the production of it started just before the revolution and was one of the few things that Soviet Russia made a push to bring into the post-revolution life. Also how much they w…
Comment on Episode 4: A New Purge by Dalton Ragland
The purges of the Intelligentsia by Stalin and the Soviets seem to be counter-productive in my mind, which allows me to understand why people view him and his policies as backward. In order for a society to thrive, an educated high class is necessary. Killing them out of fear is like cutting off the legs of your country. Do you think the Intelligentsia or the working class has the most effect on the stability of a society?
