Realism In The Film Chapaev

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The widespread suffering and loss under Stalin is undeniable. In spite of that, he had positive aspirations for what socialism could be. This potential and what he might have wanted for society can be seen in a few accounts outside of the terror he inflicted. Russian life is engulfed with struggle, dedicated labor and sacrifice. What helps some get through these trials can be the dreams of their future- to dissolve the past, and feel as if your current strains will not be wasted. The more positive outlooks on Stalin’s Russia tend to be propaganda, but there can be truth found in their hopes for improvement. Any sign of growth and positive development can be argued as a step in the right direction, and this is where people could place their …show more content…

Rather than focus on the future, this draws on what an ideal reality could be through the relationships among the characters and the growth they all experience throughout the film. As a socialist realist film, the past (the White Army’s general) is the clear enemy to the Red Army’s general, Chapaev. For a progressive and effective socialist society to grow, there must be a complete abandonment of the past. In Chapaev, this is shown with the White Army’s general being corrupt and treating his inferior poorly, for example when he shows no emotion to the clear suffering of his inferior due to the loss of his brother. The White general seems heartless in comparison to the comradity seen between Chapaev when Furmanov leaves, and they exchange a tender embrace and a kiss goodbye. Although their relationship originated for military gain, it went beyond that as they fought for the common good. This dynamic is similar to the peace between international comrades in the Red Star Pioneers. Additionally, when Petka captures the White soldier, he is glad to join their cause later when we works for them in battle. The Red Army is oddly compassionate and spares his life, and they benefit from a new comrade. This compassion and comradery continues through other relationships such as Chapaev and …show more content…

Appearance and hygiene were important in presenting yourself as a man of the revolution and a true New Man. Petka also teaches Anka how to work a machine gun, but their relationship differs from the others shown in the film. It was more of a budding, chaste romance that was appropriate for socialism. But beyond this, all of these characters displayed emotional growth over a relatively short amount of time, and they couldn’t do it alone. Socialism values the community over the individual, and these individuals bettered the community as a whole by helping one another. While this is presented as an ideal, it’s a realistic concept to apply outside of the film. Although Anka was the only woman presented in the film, while the men continue to fight once they are surrounded (and outnumbered), they send Anka off to hopefully survive. The revolution lives on through their sacrifice, but Anka is seen as an equal in her contributions to the cause. However, Chapaev is the ultimate Bolshevik as he dies a martyr and is willing to risk everything. Even when he’s injured he keeps fighting. But struggle for socialism is not over even when he dies because Anka lives on to likely continue their efforts of revolution. All of the hopes for the future are roughly placed on Anka, but she was shown ideal examples of how to fight for

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