SLAV 322: Soviet and Post-Soviet Russian Cinema

A comprehensive introduction to Soviet cinema and its legacies in post-Soviet Russia. The course examines what distinguished Soviet film industry from those in other countries and the ways in which it impacted the development of cinema worldwide. Films are analyzed both as artistic works (with attention to formal qualities, cinematic styles, and influences) and as documents that provide insight into the socio-political contexts of the times when they were made. We also discuss influential contributions by Soviet filmmakers to our understanding of what makes film unique as an art form.