Stereotypical Elements in the Narrative Structure of the Nationally “Other” in Contemporary Polish and Ukrainian Cinema

Abstract

This paper researches topical Ukrainian and Poland cinema narratives related to interaction with the representatives of other nationalities in the territory of one country. The purpose of the research is to analyse changes in intercultural narratives related to the national stereotypes in contemporary films. The current development stage of the world culture requires new narratives –signals about that appear in the world and Ukrainian cinema. For Ukraine, these narratives become especially relevant after 2014. Now, the Ukrainians are thinking over their history and their relationship with those who the history united them with in a new way. This is perfectly illustrated by the films under analysis, Why I Am Alive (Ukrainian title: Chomu ya zhyvyi) (2015) and Shchedryk (2022), where the characters build a new discourse of their value-based existence by getting released from national stereotypes. Some stereotypes are analysed extensively in relation to films Lessons of Farsi, The Pianist, The Jew (Żyd).