Looking Back at Soviet Cinema

Abstract

The Cold War was fought on many fronts, including the ideological one. The cultural front was a distinct part of this ideological front. Most arguments against Soviet culture hinged on ‘freedom of expression’, ‘dogmatic socialist realism’ and ‘censorship’. The history of Soviet cinema proved that despite the impediments the state created, filmmakers found ways of making films and getting their views across. Socialist realism as a canon to be followed existed, but that did not stop many different styles of filmmaking from flourishing. The Soviet socialist system had set up culture industries that did not run on profit. Instead, they were controlled by ideology. Nonetheless, several genres existed with their own distinctive Soviet styles and characteristics. The Soviet cinema industry was a vast network of multicultural, heterogeneous cinemas, with multiple and varied styles. Whatever the bureaucratic/state/party control exercised over filmmakers and the industries, directors and their crew, nonetheless, produced works that were reflective, that were critical and innovative. The greats of Soviet cinema contributed to world cinema and to the enrichment of the language of cinema worldwide. This chapter highlights the expression of creative freedom in Soviet times through the medium of cinema.