RUS 406Russian Film

3 credits · Russian · Penn State

Conversation and Composition based on classical Russian films. RUS 406 Russian Film (3) (IL) Taught in Russian, this course offers an overview of the development of the film industry in the USSR/Russia within its historical context: from the silent classics of the Soviet Golden Age, to the mass entertainment movies of Socialist Realism, the new-wave productions of the cultural thaw of the 60s, the popular genres of the 'stagnating' 70s, the liberated films of the glasnost period, and the most recent movies reflecting Russia's difficult economic transition. Russian cinema will be discussed as an index of sociopolitical trends over the years, as well as a medium in its own right. Therefore, attention will be devoted to historical turning points that affected the cultural policies of the Soviet Union, and consequently the styles, themes, and quality of filmmaking. At the same time, the course will consider the film as text, and analyze the feelings it stirs, the moods it evokes, and the ideological message it conveys. To this end, the course will cover the basic elements and techniques of film language (shots, montage, mise en scene, etc.) and the process of visual perception that affects the audience.