The Russian Question
Encyclopedia
The Russian Question is a Soviet political drama by renown filmmaker Mikhail Romm
. The film is an adaptation of a play of the same name by Soviet poet and journalist Konstantin Simonov
.
. His task is to write a scaremongering report about the Soviet belligerent and expansionist intentions in order to further a widespread campaign of propaganda undertaken by the American media
and the conservative elite. Harry, a former war correspondent, accepts the attractive deal and sets off to Soviet Russia only to fall in love with a country quite different from the picture shown by the "free press" in its Cold War
adversary. Back in the United States, Harry finds himself torn by a dilemma between his consciousness as an honest journalist, and the menacing pressure of his superiors, forcing him to write a convenient untruth.
Keeping its ideological design in mind, "The Russian Question" remains a sophisticated and objective, if somewhat critical portrayal of American Cold War political society. Unlike many other Soviet propaganda films, Romm's drama takes on an American perspective, only showing the Soviet Union discussed in the movie for a short combination of shots. The bulk of the film is centered on American culture, society, politics, history, economy and way of life.
Mikhail Romm
Mikhail Ilych Romm was a Soviet film director.He was born in Irkutsk. His father was a social democrat of Jewish descent who had been exiled there. He graduated from gymnasium in 1917 and entered the Moscow College for Painting, Sculpture and Architecture...
. The film is an adaptation of a play of the same name by Soviet poet and journalist Konstantin Simonov
Konstantin Simonov
Konstantin Mikhailovich Simonov was a Russian/Soviet author, known especially as a war poet.-Early years:He was born in Petrograd. His mother was born Princess Obolenskaya, of a Rurikid family. His father, an officer in the Tsar's army, left Russia after the Revolution in 1917. He died in Poland...
.
Subject
New York, 1946: a leading US newspaper company sends Harry Smith, a talented correspondent, to the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. His task is to write a scaremongering report about the Soviet belligerent and expansionist intentions in order to further a widespread campaign of propaganda undertaken by the American media
American Media
American Media, Inc., is a publisher of a number of major United States-based magazines and supermarket tabloids.-Company background:The modern American Media came into being after Generoso Pope, Jr., longtime owner of The National Enquirer, died in 1988, and his tabloids came under new ownership...
and the conservative elite. Harry, a former war correspondent, accepts the attractive deal and sets off to Soviet Russia only to fall in love with a country quite different from the picture shown by the "free press" in its Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
adversary. Back in the United States, Harry finds himself torn by a dilemma between his consciousness as an honest journalist, and the menacing pressure of his superiors, forcing him to write a convenient untruth.
Keeping its ideological design in mind, "The Russian Question" remains a sophisticated and objective, if somewhat critical portrayal of American Cold War political society. Unlike many other Soviet propaganda films, Romm's drama takes on an American perspective, only showing the Soviet Union discussed in the movie for a short combination of shots. The bulk of the film is centered on American culture, society, politics, history, economy and way of life.
Cast
- Vsevolod Aksyonov — Harry Smith
- Yelena KuzminaYelena KuzminaYelena Aleksandrovna Kuzmina was a Soviet actress. She appeared in 20 films between 1929 and 1978. She was the recipient of three Stalin Prizes and was named a People's Artist of Russia in 1950...
— Jessie - Mikhail AstangovMikhail AstangovMikhail Fyodorovich Astangov , pseudonym of M.F. Ruzhnikov was a Soviet actor, and an acclaimed People's Artist of the USSR .-Selected filmography:* Minin and Pozharsky * Suvorov * The Murderers are Coming...
— McFerson - Mikhail Nazvonov — Gould
- Mariya Barabanova — Meg
- Boris Poslavsky — Hardy
- Boris Tenin — Morphy
- Arkadi Tsinman — Preston
- Mikhail Troyanovsky — Williams
- Gennadi Yudin — Parker
- Viktor Dragunsky — Radio anouncer