https://en.sputniknews.africa/20260120/shared-narratives-exploring-parallels-in-african--russian-cinema-1082615344.html
Shared Narratives: Exploring Parallels In African & Russian Cinema
Shared Narratives: Exploring Parallels In African & Russian Cinema
Sputnik Africa
From the very beginning, Russian filmmakers understood that film was a social and cultural instrument. As studios formed and production expanded, actors became... 20.01.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-01-20T13:22+0100
2026-01-20T13:22+0100
2026-01-20T13:22+0100
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Shared Narratives: Exploring the Parallels in African and Russian Cinema
Sputnik Africa
From the very beginning, Russian filmmakers understood that film was a social and cultural instrument. As studios formed and production expanded, actors became central figures, carrying stories of revolution, daily life, war, love, and moral struggle.
Russian film constitutes the most encompassing form of storytelling, as it combines multiple expressive elements that enable filmmakers to reinterpret narratives rather than reproduce stereotypical frameworks asserted Lidia Matveeva, Russian film producer, who is currently working on the film "My Africa", with director Olga Akatyeva, Okapi.A key similarity between African and Russian cultures lies in a shared sense of sincerity, which the speaker defined as an attentive and emotionally invested perception of people, events, and facts rather than an attitude of indifference.The speaker emphasized her admiration for contemporary Russian film producer Anna Melikian, describing her narrative approach as both distinctive and influential, and suggested that her work merits closer attention from the audience. Additionally, she discussed her collaboration with the movie director Olga Аkatyeva on an upcoming film set in Africa, presenting this project as an important example of her admiration for the continent.Discover more insights from our outstanding guest on the Russian Essence podcast, proudly brought to you by Sputnik Africa.You can find our episodes on the website as well as on Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of the Russian Essence Podcast.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Afripods.
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Samantha Arias
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Samantha Arias
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podcasts, movies, russia, cinematography, africa, south africa, southern africa, russia-africa cooperation, culture, аудио
podcasts, movies, russia, cinematography, africa, south africa, southern africa, russia-africa cooperation, culture, аудио
Shared Narratives: Exploring Parallels In African & Russian Cinema
Samantha Arias
Producer / Podcast host
From the very beginning, Russian filmmakers understood that film was a social and cultural instrument. As studios formed and production expanded, actors became central figures, carrying stories of revolution, daily life, war, love, and moral struggle.
Russian film constitutes the most encompassing form of storytelling, as it combines multiple expressive elements that enable filmmakers to reinterpret narratives rather than reproduce stereotypical frameworks asserted Lidia Matveeva, Russian film producer, who is currently working on the film "My Africa", with director Olga Akatyeva, Okapi.
"Film is the most comprehensive way of storytelling. The film is the form where you can, you know, not show the stereotype but play around the story. So I think the film industry is the most interesting in terms of storytelling," commented the film producer.
A key similarity between African and Russian cultures lies in a shared sense of sincerity, which the speaker defined as an attentive and emotionally invested perception of people, events, and facts rather than an attitude of indifference.
"I think that Africans and Russians have one thing in common and that thing is sincerity. This is something when you are not indifferent, so this is the sincere perception of things, people, and facts. This is very much similar between these two cultures," she pointed out.
The speaker emphasized her admiration for contemporary Russian film producer Anna Melikian, describing her narrative approach as both distinctive and influential, and suggested that her work merits closer attention from the audience. Additionally, she discussed her collaboration with the movie director Olga Аkatyeva on an upcoming film set in Africa, presenting this project as an important example of her admiration for the continent.
Discover more insights from our outstanding guest on the Russian Essence podcast, proudly brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
You can find our episodes on the website as well as on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of the
Russian Essence Podcast.
