The films of the Soviet Union and their relevant content very closely mirrored the changing eras and political climate of the times they were released. Throughout the history of the Soviet Union, film played a critical role in both perpetuating and diminishing the socialist ideologies of the Party, while providing artists and auteurs with a creative outlet in a relatively totalitarian state. Film as an art form was highly compatible with communism and the socialist ideologies of the Soviet Union throughout its history. While film promoted the Party in many ways, it was eventually affected too strongly by reforms and opened up opposing viewpoints to the everyday citizen.
Film had been available in Czarist Russia in limited quantities starting at the beginning of the turn of the century. Theaters were most common in major cities like Moscow, and popular films were mainly comprised of imported French and German productions (Miller 106). Like many aspects of the economy, the fledgling film industry of Soviet Russia was nationalized for the benefit of the Soviet Union. Local film production was extremely limited at this point in time; but Lenin and the Bolsheviks noticed almost immediately …show more content…
Film was seen as a way to help legitimize the role of communism and explain the hardships and decreased living standards that had come with collectivization and rapid industrialization. By convincing the Soviet population of the importance of their contributions and sacrifice, the Party aimed to promote the mass cooperation required to sustain the socialist republic and work towards the “socialist paradise” they desired. Film was seen as a highly effective tool of persuasion (Miller
Film had been available in Czarist Russia in limited quantities starting at the beginning of the turn of the century. Theaters were most common in major cities like Moscow, and popular films were mainly comprised of imported French and German productions (Miller 106). Like many aspects of the economy, the fledgling film industry of Soviet Russia was nationalized for the benefit of the Soviet Union. Local film production was extremely limited at this point in time; but Lenin and the Bolsheviks noticed almost immediately …show more content…
Film was seen as a way to help legitimize the role of communism and explain the hardships and decreased living standards that had come with collectivization and rapid industrialization. By convincing the Soviet population of the importance of their contributions and sacrifice, the Party aimed to promote the mass cooperation required to sustain the socialist republic and work towards the “socialist paradise” they desired. Film was seen as a highly effective tool of persuasion (Miller