After viewing my first Russian musical, I can come to the consensus that it was not a very atypical musical, compared to what I am used to in America. We had another clear choice for a hero(ine) in this film, Marion in my opinion, who was not only striking with beauty but in talent as well.
The first connection I made between these two socialist realism films was that they both developed a relationship. Both of these relationships were formed under very unique circumstances, one within a war, the other within the Russian Circus scene. I am very intrigued by this, not only because it is SO packed with Social realistic traits, yet that it is actually believable. Petrovich was a very interesting character, seemed a little out of reach at the beginning, yet always seemed compassionate towards Marion. Marion was a mysterious character to me throughout the movie, obviously because we didn't learn her "terrible" secret until the end. She was, in my opinion, the hero in this movie. With a little help from Rayechka at the end of the film, she got the courage to defy the evil hold that her secret-keeper held over her head. She also saved the opening act of the newest attraction at the circus, and made it a great spectacle.
The ending number in this film was astoundingly chocked full of Russian propaganda, from what I can tell. Along with the normal flags adorned with Lenin's picture, and it would be presumed that red was the color on the flag, there was so much Russian culture lingering in the air. The star was portrayed a ton at the end of the film, and I thought the choice of words in the lullaby were interesting. They kind of gave a pro-Russian feel to the diagetic song, repeating that "Russia does not discriminate against ANY colored children, no matter if they are red, black, white, pink...etc" This was so interesting to me, because it was basically saying "We don't discriminate, we love everybody, that is why Russia is the BEST!" Obviously I could be reading wrong into this, but I thought that this showed the most Social Realism in the film. It was pretty funny to see what the ending of this movie turned out to be, because it was so unexpected and unique. I would definitely place this film smack dab in the middle of the art/entertainment/propaganda "triangle"...it was entertaining with the circus, rich with music sung by the actors/actresses, and as I just explained, it had a great deal of propaganda at the end.
Oh and this was also a great film because Petrovich was very attractive.
Marion is indeed quite arguably the hero or heroine of this film--because as you suggest she is the one to undergo the change and learn the "truths" and "realities" of Soviet life--not unlike the Chapaev has to learn a thing or two about Communism before he can be a proper leader of his troops (and a hero for millions of viewers). So hunk that Petrovich might be--and I think even you will be willing to admit this, Izzy-- ;>) there is a certain static "already correct" character to him that makes him positive for the film, but not heroic--and hence to me his character seems to resemble the role that the Commissar Furmanov played in *Chapaev*.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I too very much notice the focus on star-like figures as the movie draws to a close.