When discussing international film, the significant contributions of Russia and the former Soviet Union are often overlooked.
As one develops an understanding of filmmaking as an art form rather than a science, these contributions include the creation of the “Montage Theory,” which pioneered the filmmaking style of montage. The establishment of the world's oldest film-focused school, the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography, and the evolution of film through its utilization in propaganda were also significant contributions.
The Soviet Union’s film industry was particularly notable for its extensive use of propaganda through film in the early 1900s and onward. Vladimir Lenin, the first head of the Soviet Union, stated himself that film was the most effective way to inform the masses, as it could transcend language barriers more effectively than posters or text.
Lenin’s organization of the Soviet film industry consequently led to more censorship on private film industries, barring anything he deemed as “immoral” or “counter-revolutionary.”
This, in turn, led to the production of pro-Soviet movies. The government, wanting to produce more effective propaganda, was only able to support short educational films called “agitki”, after the deterioration of the filmmaking infrastructure between World War I and the Russian Revolution, reaching almost every region of the Soviet Union in the late 1910s.
The Soviet filmmaking industry faced significant restrictions into the 1930s, effectively politicizing the majority of films produced and distributed in the country. Following the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953, the political limits on movies and the cinema drought came to an end. This led to a loosening of censorship and the production of more “creative” movies, lasting beyond the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Notable movies of the 1950s and 1960s
“The Cranes Are Flying” (1957) is a war drama film produced and directed by Mikhail Kalatozov, a Georgian filmmaker. The movie portrays the damage done to the Soviet identity after World War II while following a romance between Veronika and her boyfriend, Boris. The film discusses families being separated by war, the detriments of war to mental health and patriotism to one’s own country.
“Amphibian Man” (1962) is a science fiction romance film produced and directed by Russian filmmakers Gennadiy Kazanskiy and Vladimir Chebotaryov. Filmed in Baku, Azerbaijan, the movie is based on the life of a young man, Ichthyander, who lives underwater.
After saving Guttiere, a young woman Ichthyander finds captivating, he ventures out of the water to see her. The film is about both a tragic love story and the exploitation of natural resources, reflecting the Soviet Union’s influence on socialist realism. This movie is based on the book “The Amphibian” (1928), written by Alexander Belyaev.
Post-Soviet Russia
In post-Soviet Russia, censorship increased, and a push for fewer anti-Russian films was revived in 2014, following the Russian invasion of Crimea. Many movies released afterwards were non-political and more lighthearted in nature.
Following the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2022, the Russian film industry has suffered significantly from international boycotts. Several international film distributors, such as Walt Disney, Sony, Paramount and Warner Bros, stopped international films from being screened in Russia.
The heavy censorship of the Russian populace, including beyond the filmmaking industry, led to a significant divergence from the types of Russian movies produced. Russia saw more jovial films become popular at the box office — “Wish of the Fairy Fish” (2023), and notably "Chebi: My Fluffy Friend" (2023).
The more somber movies produced after 2022 did not deal with modern Russian politics and themost dramatic movies were not based on any political themes. “Tchaikovsky’s Wife” (2022), “The Challenge” (2023) and “Pravednik” (2023). However, one remarkable movie, “Fairytale” (2022), was scrutinized by the Russian government and eventually banned.
Notable movies of the 2020s
“Chebi: My Fluffy Friend” (2023) is a live-action and animated children’s comedy film, directed by Dmitry Dyachenko. “Chebi: My Fluffy Friend” follows a large-eared fuzzy animal who was swept away from his home in Spain to the coast of the Black Sea. He meets Gena and the story then follows their life together.
“Chebi: My Fluffy Friend” became the highest-grossing Russian film at the Russian box office three days after its release. Two weeks later, it became the highest-grossing Russian film in the history of domestic distribution, as of early 2023.
“Fairytale” is an animated adult experimental fantasy film directed by Aleksandr Sokurov, a notable filmmaker who has openly opposed the state of the Russian federation, particularly Russia’s policies towards minority groups.
“Fairytale” depicts conversations in purgatory between four notable World War II leaders, along with Napoleon and Jesus. The film was set to be screened as the closing film at the Russian festival “Karo.art.” However, the Russian Ministry of Culture refused to grant Sokurov a screening license, and the movie was banned in Russia just days later.
Russia, the ninth most populated country in the world, has been known for centuries for its politics. Russia’s deep history and expansive film catalogue heavily reflect its own tumultuous history.
This article was edited by Alfie Pritchard, Jessica Ackerman and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Ariana Kavoossi, Arin Burrell, Paige Caron, Andrew Kummeth and Ryan Sieve. Fact-checking done by Aidan Crowe.
