Russia Experience » Soviet history

Doomed utopias #3

Bernard H. Wood — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 10:20:13 +0000

T’s last three years at Moscow University (1986 – 1989) overlapped with the world of work in a punishing schedule that saw each full day at a book publishing company subsequently capped by a solid evening’s study. The combined workload exceeded 13 hours plus the required daily travel tim...

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Doomed utopias #2

Bernard H. Wood — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 10:35:17 +0000

‘T’, a native Muscovite, had found an idyllic childhood existence in her Soviet utopia. Growing into early adulthood, she found her curiosity piqued by the treasures of other cultures as tales, sounds and images drifted in from the world outside. Even a utopia has its limits and it could neither co...

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Doomed utopias #1

Bernard H. Wood — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:58:30 +0000

“It goes against the natural order of things” she tells me. ‘T’, a native Muscovite, is reflecting upon how the utopian ideals of the Soviet system were doomed from the start. Utopia will fall because of the very nature of its inhabitants: the messy, self-centred humans who still want to...

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Free Russian cinema: Nikolai Gogol

Bernard H. Wood — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 20:18:39 +0000

Last week we took a truly superficial glance at Andrei Tarkovsky, in the context of the Mosfilm site and its generous offering of full length features from Russian cinema. Some of his classic works are there, including his renowned 1972 adaptation of Stanislaw Lem’s Sci-Fi novel: Solaris. I...

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Free Russian cinema: Andrei Tarkovsky

Bernard H. Wood — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 00:39:06 +0000

Does the idea of free access to hundreds of Soviet film classics appeal? The answer is a no-brainer for anyone with the slightest interest in Russian cinema. Head over to the Mosfilm channel on YouTube and enjoy the embarrassment of riches that are on show. As reported by Open Culture, back in 2011,...

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Spoilers ahead

Bernard H. Wood — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 22:48:33 +0000

Have you seen Child 44? It’s the most recent film by Daniel Espinosa, drawn from the book trilogy by Tom Rob Smith. Starring Tom Hardy as a demoted secret police operative trying to end the bloody career of a serial child murderer, it also sports a great ensemble cast that includes Paddy Consi...

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How cold? #2

Bernard H. Wood — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 14:00:24 +0000

Last week we took a look at Russia’s historical super-weapon: winter; a natural force to rival any A-bomb. The indigenous population historically knew both how survive it, fight in it and wield it effectively against an interloping enemy. ‘Wielding’ is probably overstating the mark...

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Trips and Tales (Part 44)

Bernard H. Wood — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:00:21 +0000

A history of the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, with references to its geography, architecture and history. Also an account of how the city was impacted by Soviet era....

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