Stalin’s statements made in “Dizzy with Success” shows clear signs of optimism regarding progress in the 5 Year Plan thus far, but also warns the audience of threats both internally as well as externally. He claims that citizens need to keep level headed and continue on the path that their on. He also condemns “Kulak” ideology in order to gain more support in his farm collectivization plan. He writes, “What may these distortions lead to? To the strengthening of our enemies and the discrediting of the idea of the collective farm movement.” After reading “The Silent Steppe” and “Behind the Urals,” we hear accounts from a Khazak “Kulak” family and an urban work. Putting yourself in each of their shoes, how would these two different characters take what is said in “Dizzy with Success”? How would you expect them to react to the claims made by Stalin?
BED AND SOFA
The film Bed and Sofa, directed by Abram Room comments on the increase in sexuality and the conflicts that arise from abortion in Soviet Russia. At the time, the controversial film posed a very interesting question about the progress of sexuality amongst women. What I found interesting was the parallels between the film and what was transpiring in American history at the same time. The roaring 20’s is labeled as a time of progress and an increase in independence and sexuality for women. This thought raised a question in my mind: if this film were American and released in the same manner as it was in Russia, would it be as controversial here as it was there?
