CULTURAL STUDIES-RUSSIAN CULTURE
- The lifestyles portrayed in the films (Larina et al., 2016)
The majority of Russian films present more men characters than women. Women characters are stereotypically passive. This overrepresentation is a clear indication of gender inequality propagated by Russian culture. The aspect of overrepresentation of men is displayed by one of the famous films of the Zagreb school, “Dusan Vukotic’s Ersatz,” where women’s role is reduced to giving company to man. Furthermore, as portrayed by Soviet films, capitalism is criticized in Russian culture, and women are depicted as nonviolent, neighbors less, self-sacrificing, and sexless.
- Living conditions in Russia and the Soviet Union
As depicted by the films, in the past, people lived in fear of being attacked. Furthermore, people lived in unfavorable environments.
- What did you learn about work in Russia or the Soviet Union (Kon, 2018)?
On the other hand, non-individualism is propagated: acquaintances, friends, and family push most deals. During soviet times, Russia had well-developed community work: leaders were chosen to represent different works of life.
- How characters spend their free time
Soviet films display a theatre culture: Each neighborhood had a theatre agent responsible for distributing tickets in the community. Thus, during their free time, Russian would visit these theatres for recreational purposes.
- Relationships among parents, spouse, children, and friends (Larina et al., 2016)
Soviet culture strongly opposes the western way of life and western stands. Nevertheless, respect is one of the aspects treasured in Russian culture: children are taught to respect the elderly.
- Other elements of culture
Other Russian cultural elements portrayed by the films include Folklore, food, language, cinema, ballet, architecture, music, and art. The culture is primarily influenced by the pagan beliefs of the East Slavs.
- Can you compare your life to the lives of Russian/Soviet films? What was different? (Kon, 2018).
Compared to Russian culture, westernization has changed many aspects: women have been empowered, and now they can perform all duties without restrictions. Nevertheless, westernization has reduced the element of respect for the elderly.
- A broad question: Now that you have learned various aspects of the Russian culture, what would you tell somebody that asked you what you learned about Russia?
Today, children are allowed to dictate their parents. Furthermore, individualism has been propagated: people focus on individual success. Therefore, despite the advantages that have been brought by westernization, more harm than good resulted. But still, the question remains how we will get back our culture?
References
Kon, I. S. (2018). Ethical culture. In Russian Culture at the Crossroads (pp. 185-207). Routledge.
Larina, T., Mustajoki, A., & Protassova, E. (2016). Dimensions of Russian culture and mind. In Philosophical and Cultural Interpretations of Russian Modernisation (pp. 19-31). Routledge.
“Dusan Vukotic’s Ersatz” Film
“The Conductor” film (2012). https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2287699.
The saint Basil’s Cathedral