Interview with Danilenko, Liudmila. Moviegoing in St. Petersburg, Russia (2008)

Analysis of Interview with Liudmila Danilenko, written and published by Alex McGrath on 11 November, 2012.
Conducted by Michael Roberts on 19 July, 2008
Transcribed and Translated by Sarah Argodale, Alex McGrath, Elena Prokohorova, Michael Roberts and Bryan Terrill

Interview’s Audio File in Swem Digital Archive- https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/handle/10288/1563

On July 18th, 2008, Willam and Mary student Michael Roberts, while on his university’s study abroad program to St. Petersburg Russia, interviewed Liudmila Danilenko about her movie going experiences. The interview was done as part of the project, headed by William and Mary Professor Alexander Prokhorov, entitled “Russian Movie Theater Project.” The project is designed to record the movie-going experiences of ordinary Russians in the Soviet and Post-Soviet periods.

Like many Russians who grew up in the Soviet era, Liudmila greatly enjoyed fairy tales in her childhood, and her first movie going experiences which she remembers involve fairy tales (0:52). As a child she also liked popular science television shows, such as In the World of Animals. But most of all, Liudmila enjoys films where she can identify with the characters, or can “live vicariously through them” (5:23). She enjoyed the classic Soviet western/youth adventure The Elusive Avengers (1967) and the ballet film The Swan Lake (1958), which she remembers for the beauty of the ballerinas and the spectacle of their performance. Liudmila also remembers liking Alla Pugachova’s role in A Woman That Sings (1980), a musical film with a Soviet pop star in the lead role.

Liudmila has a greater appreciation for the classic movies of the Soviet era than the modern blockbusters that now appear in Russian theaters. She says that Soviet cinema is “more vital” for people than modern cinema (3:13). She has a strong taste for Soviet comedy. Her favorite director, Leonid Gaidai, directed two of her favorite movies (and Soviet comedy classics) The Diamond Arm (1969)and Ivan Vasilievich Changes His Profession (1973)Interestingly, Liudmila believes that such movies are easier to identify with, and are more closely connected to the viewer, despite being objectively unrealistic comedies. Two of her favorite actors are Russian actor Yevgeniy Leonov and French actor Louis De Funes, both known for their archetypal comedic characters.

In addition to the movies themselves, Liudmila feels that theaters and screening rooms have changed dramatically. In earlier times movie theaters weren’t trying to “make a buck,” but now it’s all business, and cinema has lost its character (19:30). Liudmila sees movie going as a high art experience, one that requires one’s full attention. She believes one should not eat while watching a movie, as it is improper and disrespectful to the presentation (12:06). For these reasons, she no longer goes to the movies.

Liudmila never goes to the theater to see new movies. She said the last time she went to the movie theater was “about 10 years” prior to the interview. However, she says she does occasionally watch modern films, even blockbusters. While she claims disapproval of such films, she highlighted Gladiator (2000), Spartacus (2004), Troy (2004), and Alexander (2004) as recent productions she enjoys watching on television at home. These movies share a common theme in that they are all historical epics which emphasize the virility of their male leads. In addition, her favorite actors include French actor Jean Marais, Dutch actor Rutger Hauer, British actor Timothy Dalton[1] and American movie star Mickey Rourke. Her choice of favorite actors and movies reveals her taste for strong and charismatic male leads.

Liudmila Danilenko’s movie watching habits appear contradictory, but in sum, her movie going experience can be characterized as predominantly Soviet. She enjoys classic Soviet films and is not a fan of the modern, market driven movie industry. Despite her professed dislike for show business, she is drawn to many modern films that are historically based and exude masculinity. She enjoys being able to identify with and live vicariously through her film experiences. Often these films favor alternative fantasy worlds rather than reality.