Kinotalk: 21st Century is a cinema-based textbook that enhances students’ linguistic and cultural proficiency through guided studies of 12 Russian feature films released since the year 2000. Each chapter includes a series of original readings and activities that present captivating and thought-provoking frameworks in which students of Russian can practice and perfect all four language skills. While providing active stimuli for language production, the volume also aims to immerse students in the world of Russian cinema, society, and culture.
Key features include:
- A broad cross-section of prominent films, directors, cinematic styles, trends, and genres that have emerged in Russia since 2000.
- A wide selection of authentic texts from Russian scholars and film critics that familiarize students with the language of critical film inquiry in Russian.
- A multi-disciplinary approach that combines close readings of individual films with considerations of the socio-political, ideological, and economic contexts of their production.
- A flexible and dynamic modular structure that allows instructors to pick and choose films and topics that are best suited for their classrooms.
Aimed at the Intermediate-High to Advanced levels (B1-C1, CEFR levels), this textbook is designed for all those interested in the rich palette of voices, genres, and contexts of 21st-century Russian cinema.
Chapter 1. Russian Ark (dir. Alexander Sokurov, 2002) – Русский ковчег | Chapter 2. The Return (dir. Andrei Zviagnitsev, 2003) – Возвращение | Chapter 3. The Italian (dir. Andrei Kravchuk, 2005) – Итальянец | Chapter 4. Mermaid (dir. Anna Melikian, 2007) – Русалка | Chapter 5. Hipsters (dir. Valery Todorovsky, 2008) – Стиляги | Chapter 6. We are from the Future (dir. Andrei Maliukov, 2008) – Мы из будущего | Chapter 7. Room and a Half, or A Sentimental Return Home (dir. Andrei Khrzhanovsky, 2008) – Полторы комнаты или сентиментальное путешествие на родину | Chapter 8. Yolki. Six Degrees of Celebration (dir. Timur Bekmambetov et al., 2010) – Елки | Chapter 9. My Perestroika (dir. Robin Hessman, 2010) – Моя перестройка | Chapter 10. Geographer Drank His Globe Away (dir. Alexander Veledinsky, 2013) – Географ глобус пропил | Chapter 11. Legend No. 17 (dir. Nikolai Lebedev, 2013) – Легенда №17 | Chapter 12. The Fool (dir. Yuri Bykov, 2014) – Дурак
Biography
Olga Mesropova is an Associate Professor of Russian at Iowa State University, USA. She is the author of two Russian-language textbooks; co-author of several scholarly anthologies; and author of numerous articles and reviews on Russian cultural discourse.
"A one of a kind introduction to Russian language and culture through contemporary film, this textbook provides unique conversational engagement for learners of Russian." - Yuliya Baldwin, Lecturer in Russian, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA
"Kinotalk is an excellent resource for those wanting to combine the practical learning of the Russian language with a deeper insight into Russian culture. This book is a very valuable introduction into contemporary Russian cinema; the list of films included could not be better, and the materials provided, such as supporting exercises and guiding questions, allow for great discussions. The users of this book are presented with carefully selected vocabulary within each chapter, and stress-marked texts for analyses. All of this, including additional attention to grammar, will encourage the students not only to discuss cinema in Russian but also to develop a deeper understanding of Russia as a cultural phenomenon." - Shamil Khairov, Lecturer in Russian, University of Glasgow, UK
