Russia on Reels: The Russian Idea in Post-Soviet Cinema

"Russia on Reels focuses on the effect of the collapse of the Soviet Union on Russian cinema and its films. The unifying motifs for the contributors -- from Russia, Britain and the United States -- are the 'Russian idea' and Russia's search, during the post-Soviet era, for a redefinition of identity, nationhood and history. Attempts to re-articulate the 'Russian idea' are represented in all artistic activities of this period but are especially relevant to the art of cinema. Cinema was seen under the Soviet system as, in Lenin's words, 'the most important of all the arts' -- the most effective means to promulgate ideology and set moral standards." "The contributors examine developments in modern Russian cinema and provide a historical context for the study of its films, uncovering common themes and diverse aesthetic concerns. Individual portraits of the directors Alexander Sokurov, Kira Muratova and Dmitri Astrakhan complement an exploration of how filmmakers are debunking Soviet myths and illusions of 'Russian-ness' and an examination of the new images -- and cliches -- now being created. Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET.