The Cold War Origins of Russian Villains in Film by Lindsey Busic

Historical Context- Tracing Back To The Cold War

busiclr — 2025-05-16 06:38:47 UTC

In the article, "Russians were go-to Movie Villains in the 1980s. What a New Cold War Might Bring" published by Brian Lowry and CNN, Lowry wrote, “Part of the tricky thing is in American popular culture Russians are imaginary people, or at least were during most of the Cold War"(Lowry, par. 10). This is a huge point made by the author Russian culture is almost always stereotyped as a corrupt, violent country. This stereotype dates all the way back to the cold war and has significance to pop culture and Hollywood movies today.

A Modern Example In Film

busiclr — 2025-05-16 06:53:48 UTC

An example of just how stereotypical Russian culture is portrayed, here is a movie clip from the renowned film, John Wick (2014). In this movie clip, you can see Viggo, a Russian mob boss who teaches his son a lesson with violence after he stole a car. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L4ldXvWwrI

What Other Cultures Are Affected By Hollywood's Cultural Stereotypes?

busiclr — 2025-05-16 07:10:46 UTC

While there has been no shortage of Russian Villains in Hollywood, this isn't the only culture targeted with inaccurate stereotypes in film. For example, the award winning film, Crazy Rich Asians. There are many cultural stereotypes and racist remarks made throughout the film that shows how deep rooted racism in Hollywood's film industry really is. In the article, Crazy, rich, when Asian: Yellowface ambivalence and mockery in Crazy Rich Asians, written by Terrie Siang-Ting Wong, the author introduces the idea of turning a culture into a product to sell. The same way Russians are typically looked at as antagonists in action films. Wong writes that there is a "subtle form of yellowface… through the performance of Asianness in ways that reaffirm Western racial expectations” (p. 59). This ties back into the idea that from the cast, to the dialogue, to the plot of the films created, cultures are looked at as true to their stereotypes even when it isn't always accurate.

How is this relevant to today and who is affected?

busiclr — 2025-05-16 07:20:41 UTC

This topic is extremely relevant to todays society especially with the ongoing war happening between Ukraine and Russia. As someone who is a Russian American, it has been a struggle for society to target people of my own culture as something to be ashamed of. Modern day films portray Russians as bad, gang members, and violent people which is simply untrue. This topic is about the ongoing stereotypes made by filmmakers on what Russia should be seen as.

What Laws Are Relevant In This Topic?

busiclr — 2025-05-16 07:28:24 UTC

While there aren't any specific laws that dictate how the US portrays different cultures like Russian or Asian, it does fall under the First Amendment. The First Amendment covers the Freedom of Speech. This protects filmmakers from legal action and backlash from portraying cultures or races a certain way. Hollywood studios are also legally protected when it comes to how they portray these topics.

Key Terms Relevant To This Topic

busiclr — 2025-05-16 07:29:45 UTC

Key terms for this topic include, cultural appropriation vs cultural appreciation, racism and stereotypes.

Description Of The Controversial Elements In This Topic

busiclr — 2025-05-16 07:44:07 UTC

Hollywood has long portrayed Russian characters as villains, spies, mobsters, or cold, ruthless antagonists, often without complexity or cultural nuance. These depictions have become so common that they form a recognizable stereotype — the “evil Russian.” In a CNN article, Michael Kackman, an associate professor of television at the University Notre Dame stated, "If the goal is greater understanding, he added, it’s important to remember “that Russia isn’t just Putin, and to try to be reasonably empathetic about people living within that system"(Kackman, par. 10) I think this is a huge part of the controversial issue. Many people don't see that Russians are humans too, with their own cultures, traditions, families, etc. Just because their country is being led by a power and money hungry leader, doesnt mean all who live in that ciuntry are bad people. This is the same way americans are, and should be viewed. Based on their morals, not their countries leader.