Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
At the beginning of April, the International Fair of Intellectual Literature non/fictioN took place in the Central Exhibition Hall “Manezh” in Moscow. Publishing house Vyshki traditionally took part in the event, presenting its new books, including an updated edition of Vadim Radaev’s book “Watching Movies, Understanding Life: 23 Sociological Essays“.
For several years in a row, the fair has gathered under one roof more than 200 large and small publishing houses, many authors, and readers eager to learn something new. The main goal is to popularize scientific knowledge and introduce new products in the field of scientific and intellectual literature. An important part is made up of meetings with authors, lectures, and master classes offering an in-depth look at current topics in science, culture, and education.
“Traditionally, at non/fictioN we prepare various new releases, and one of them today is the updated, third edition of Vadim Radaev’s book.”Watching Movies, Understanding Life: 23 Sociological Essays”, which included an analysis of new films,” said Alexander Pavlov, head of publishing projects at the HSE Publishing House. Among the Publishing House’s other new releases are “Conflict, war, revolution» Paula Kelly and «Parliamentary Procedures in Russia: Constitutional Standards» Alexey Koshel.
Vadim Radaev, First Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, personally presented his book to readers. The first thing he drew attention to was that the book is not about cinema, but about those life questions and problems that worry each of us: about human fears and elusive love, male mythology and women’s games, intergenerational conflicts and professional dilemmas, features of the national character and the painful parting with the Soviet past.
“Cinema is a visual way to talk about what you consider important. It all started in 2003, when I decided to organize a Christmas Film Seminar (a meeting of HSE researchers and students to watch and discuss a film, which is traditionally held at the university in December. — Ed.). People were surprised then, I had my doubts myself, and now we hold them every year, and two months before the event, people start asking what film we will analyze. 20 years later, I thought about what to give myself for the anniversary of the film seminar, and decided to secretly write a book,” shared Vadim Radaev. In the new edition, the author included an analysis of such films as “Boomer”, “Brother 2”, “Limit”, “Walk”, “What Men Talk About”, “The Train Stopped”, “Acid”, “Elena”, “12”, “Loveless”, “Chaos”, “Terminator” and many others.
“What is it that draws us to the theme of the gangster subculture?” asks Vadim Radaev, analyzing the films “Boomer”, “Brother 2”, “Brigada”. “This theme does not let us go, through it we try to overcome and play out our fears of violence. These are the situations in which we are afraid to find ourselves. The film “The Word of a Boy” does not leave us either, because it is the same theme.”
The author also reflects on who can be called the hero of our time, or rather, of several eras – the 80s, 90s and 2000s. “In the 80s, of course, it was “Courier”. And you remember, this guy is very nice, not stupid, but without any life plan, incapable of anything. In the 90s, the film “Limit” comes out, where there is a completely different hero. Instead of an apathetic Muscovite, there appears a motivated provincial guy, inclined to risk, who does not stop at any obstacles. And in the 2000s, Zvyagintsev’s debut – “The Return”. A new hero appears, with an incomprehensible secret past, which is better not to remember, which disappears with him, in the dark waters, “- says Vadim Radaev.
If viewers want to see what games women play, the author of the book suggests paying attention to the film “Walk” by Alexey Uchitel. “This is a master class in women’s manipulation techniques of the highest level,” he believes.
Vadim Radaev also examines relationships and conflicts between generations. “There was a film called ‘Acid’, where this topic is particularly acutely traced, children do not conflict with their parents, but there is no understanding between them,” the researcher explained.
The film “The Truman Show” makes you think about why people put their lives on public display. And the mini-series “The Department” raises questions about how a university should develop: should it keep up with the times and move towards something new, or should it rely on the classics.
“My book is not entirely scientific. I use the results of my own research and that of others, it contains references to scientific works and quotes from songs. To a large extent, this is a personal reflection,” Vadim Radaev summed up.
Sergei Filonovich, professor Department of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management HSE, a regular co-presenter of the Christmas Seminar, gave a short guide on how to use Vadim Radaev’s book. “I would not recommend reading it straight through, it is pointless to read chapters about films you have not seen, because there is no exact retelling of the plot, there is an analysis of impressions, the thoughts that the author generates. It should be read chapter by chapter after watching a specific film,” the professor is sure. Sergei Filonovich believes that Vadim Radaev’s readers will be able to evaluate the films they have watched from a different angle: “That is why I would say that this book is not only for young viewers, but also for fairly experienced ones.” In his opinion, this publication is a kind of dialogue between readers and the author: “Sometimes you want to discuss a film with an intelligent person, but where can you find one? He is not always at hand, and here is a book by an intelligent person, where his impressions are told.”
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