Russian cultural expropriation, was Re: [SEELANGS] Summary List of Russian Films with American Content

[Max Pyziur]

> Dear Colleagues:
>
> I was unable to post the list to SEELANGs because it is too long.
> SEELANGers had a lot to say on this topic!
>
> I therefore created a website, hosted by my unit on campus, at this
> address:
>
> http://hss.pages.tcnj.edu/american-films-with-russian-content/
>
> When you access the information, if it is valuable to you, please copy the
> text and save it to your own files, as I will not be able to maintain this
> page on our school's website indefinitely.
>
> I extend my sincere and profound thanks to all those who sent me
> suggestions, especially Helena Goscilo.

I'm sorry, but there are problems with definitions in this list, as well
as ongoing cultural expropriation on the part of some continuing notion of
uber-Russia, a zombie concept.

On definitions: Dr. Strangelove and Ninochka, among a few others, deal
with the Soviet Union, not Russia. To label them as having Russian subject
matter is pure intellectual laziness in the present day. Sure, the
characters interchange Russia and the Soviet Union. But do academics like
yourself have to?

Taras Bulba is about Ukrainian cossacks. Everything Is Illuminated deals
with recovering and acquiring personal memory in Ukraine.

Sure, "... there'll be no fighting in the War Room ... ,"

Max Pyziur
pyz at brama.com


> With best wishes,
>
> Ben Rifkin
> The College of New Jersey
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