![]() One year after Song of Russia hit theaters, World War II ended, and moviemakers weren’t sure what to do with the Ruskies. It was later condemned in the House of Un-American Activities Committee hearings by your libertarian cousin’s favorite author, Ayn Rand. That 1944 film - which, by the way, is tagged as "drama/propaganda" when you Google it - tried so hard to convince US audiences that the Russians were cool now that it kinda implied collective farms were exotic carnivals, not sites of mass starvation. The studios had to hit pause on the usual Communist bashing, resulting in problematic movies like Song of Russia. Things got a little complicated during World War II, when we buddied up with Russia to fight the Nazis. (Seriously, one of the dudes is nicknamed "Uncle Sam.") 1, and Ninotchka, which all feature left-leaning or avowed Soviet ladies learning the error of their ways from hunky capitalists. "What Hollywood was doing was exposing the frivolity of what used to be called 'the parlor pink.' These were people, generally women, from well-to-do families who would go to rallies and marches and protest meetings and then would go home in time for cocktail hour." He points to rom-coms like Red Salute, Public Deb No. Dick, a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and author of the forthcoming book The Screen Is Red. "You could make fun of Communists because it was considered such a political aberration to begin with," says Bernard F. The grand tradition of Russian thugs on screen didn't really start until the Cold War, but there were some swipes at the Soviets in '30s and '40s comedies. So what's going on here? Have screenwriters just refused to reinvent villains since Rocky IV out of sheer laziness? It's a little more complicated than that, and it's also been going on for much longer than Sylvester Stallone has been writing screenplays. And this month we have two more: the Casey Affleck vehicle Triple 9, featuring the Russian mob, and Zoolander 2, featuring what appears to be a Russian Kristen Wiig. Hell, even The Muppets piled on with Tina Fey's gulag guard in Muppets Most Wanted. Since 2010 alone, Russian bad guys have appeared in such action flicks as John Wick, The Equalizer, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, The November Man, A Good Day to Die Hard, Jack Reacher, Limitless, Salt, The Drop, and The Tourist. This may seem ludicrous, considering the Cold War has been over for 24 years, but the numbers don’t lie. Need to communicate evil in five seconds? Have an intimidating guy with a cigarette step out of the shadows and say, " Da." Your work is done. Movies have many preferred punching bags, but for decades, Mother Russia has been at the top of the list. Who are they? They are the Russians, Hollywood's eternal enemy. They're blowing up suburban homes with goddamn bazookas, because the very existence of wholesome American children enrages them. They're strong-arming Bradley Cooper for mind-altering drugs. Suggest a correction in the comments below.They’re beating teenage prostitutes right under Denzel Washington's nose. Writer(s): Billie O'connell And Finneas O'connellĬontributed by Elena R. I have the potential to make your girlfriend angryĬome meet me in the area known for hard bass music I consider myself to be a very strong person I present myself as a rugged and tough individual I have consumed too much alcohol and am intoxicated I don't want to share my vodka with anyone You don't need to say thank you or please When you look at me, you see me right in front of you My jacket has white stripes on it and I am wearing it Overall, the song Slav Guy is an interesting exploration of Slavic culture and masculinity, with lyrics that celebrate both the toughness and the more lighthearted elements of this cultural identity. However, despite his tough exterior and love of vodka, the chorus of the song suggests that the Slavic man is a good lover and a fun person to be around. The lyric "I'm drunk like your babushka" is particularly evocative, as it speaks to the stereotype of the vodka-loving Slavic grandmother. He is unapologetic about his love for the drink, and even encourages others not to thank him for it. The song also references the Slavic love of vodka, as the man is shown holding a bottle of it in both hands. The lyrics go on to describe how the man's toughness can be overwhelming, as he is seen as a criminal by some. The opening lines of the song speak to the man's fashion sense, as he sports white stripes on his jacket that are always shiny. The song's lyrics paint a picture of a man who is proud of his Slavic heritage, but also has a tough exterior that can be intimidating to some. The song Slav Guy by Russian Jump Up Mafia is an interesting exploration of the typical Slavic man.
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