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[PAST EVENT] Science Fiction Film in the USSR (Public Lecture)
November 15, 2011
5pm
The Soviet regime regarded the genre of science fiction with suspicion - as something that can divert the audience from the concrete tasks of socialist construction. This was even truer in the case of cinema, dubbed by the founder of the Soviet state as "the most important of the arts." SF films were rare and, almost invariably, had to include redeeming references to the ideological priorities of the ruling regime.
At the same time, occasional cinematic adaptations of science fiction themes and motifs reflected the Soviet obsession with the future and superiority in the sphere of science and technology. Soviet filmmakers' forays into science fiction gave them opportunities to experiment with novel techniques and give form to some of those fantasies which were frowned upon by the ideologues as socially counterproductive.
Sergei Kapterev's presentation will focus on the uniqueness of Soviet cinematic science fiction, its historical mutations and its interrelationship with politics, spectators and international trends.
At the same time, occasional cinematic adaptations of science fiction themes and motifs reflected the Soviet obsession with the future and superiority in the sphere of science and technology. Soviet filmmakers' forays into science fiction gave them opportunities to experiment with novel techniques and give form to some of those fantasies which were frowned upon by the ideologues as socially counterproductive.
Sergei Kapterev's presentation will focus on the uniqueness of Soviet cinematic science fiction, its historical mutations and its interrelationship with politics, spectators and international trends.