포스트소비에트 러시아의 영화 속에 나타난 정체성의 위기와 문화다양성

Abstract

Since the Soviet Union collapsed, Russian films have obviously reflected a rapidly changing Russian society - its social phenomena, mass consciousness, psychological conditions, and reactions to globalization etc. Films can be a useful cultural code for analyzing the state of chaos and panic Russia is in now during its period of transition to capitalism, and revealing its significance. In particular, we can find that the identity problem of post-Soviet Russian society has been reflected in many films. Cultural and national conflicts between Russia and other members of the former Soviet Union, also between Russia and the West, strengthen the feelings of identity crisis and national self-consciousness of the Russian people. The three films analyzed in this article show different approaches to the problems of cultural and national identity: Aleksei Balabanov's War(2002) emphasizes cultural and national differences and puts them into an antagonistic state, while G. Sidorov's Old Women(2003) admits differences between nations and seeks a way for a peaceful coexistence based on cultural diversity. Georgi Gabelia's documentary film A Person of Caucasian Nationality(2001) shows silently the reality of cultural and national conflicts inside of Russian society. Each of these three films reflect confusion, conflict and collision of identities in modern Russia. In order that post-Soviet Russia, which still consists of multicultural nations, can ensure its own identity, it is necessary to embrace various Others - other nations and other cultures. Mutual understanding and acknowledgement of differences and diversity are the only solution for different nations to live together ultimately in peace. The point is we need a common direction to harmonize multicultural societies, which is an ideal that humankind should pursue.