American Neocolonialism on the Soviet Cinema Screen (Based on Films About Latin America)

Вестник Волгоградского государственного университета. Серия 4: История. Регионоведение. Международные отношения. 2024. Vol. 29. No. 1. P. 77–86.

Клещенко Л. Л.

Introduction. The scientific relevance of the topic is due to the fact that the concepts of colonialism
and neocolonialism are currently becoming part of the official Russian political discourse. The article examines how
film representations of the struggle against American neocolonialism in Latin America are used to create the image
of the American enemy in the context of the Cold War, which determines the novelty of this work. Methods and
materials. The article is based on Soviet features and documentary films about Latin America. Analysis and results.
The author comes to the following conclusions: images of neocolonial exploitation of Latin America contributed to
the creation of the image of the American enemy, endowing it with such features as immorality, greed, cruelty, and
contempt for the population of the Third World. In addition, the images of Latin America and the struggle of its
population against neocolonialism were used in the politics of Soviet identity. A demonstration of solidarity with
the people of Latin America maintained the image of the USSR as the leader of the liberation struggle against
(neo)colonialism. The struggle against pro-American governments in Latin America acquired legitimacy through
images of the plight of the countries ruled by powers accomplishing American neocolonialism. Films about the
Cuban and Nicaraguan revolutions served to predict victory over neocolonialism in the region in particular and the
American enemy in the Cold War in general.

Keywords: холодная война, Латинская Америка, образ врага, Cold War, Soviet cinematography, советский кинематограф, neocolonialism, неоколониализм, Latin America, image of the enemy