Defence of the realm: The ‘new’ Russian patriotism on screen

This paper examines the war theme in Russian film since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with special reference to the ongoing conflict in the Caucasus. It will explore the tension and seeming contradiction between the military machine as faceless bureaucracy, and the ordinary soldier, seen as the honest and true face of Mother Russia. Through an analysis of both TV and feature films, it will also explore the evolution of attitudes towards the 'new' Putin-era reality, where business and capitalism are condemned as helping the 'enemy', at the expense of the Motherland. Films to be discussed include Chest' imeiu, Gospoda ofitsery, Blokpost, Marsh-brosok, Voina.