Parallel Realities in Russian and Ukrainian Contemporary Cinema

“This is an essential companion to recent Ukrainian cinema and post-Soviet historical filmmaking more broadly. Shlikhar’s work is both urgent and enduring. Parallel Realities provides critical context for understanding our acute moment in time, while also making important contributions to the study of post-Soviet cultural memory and the role of the historical film in Russia’s imperial cinematic consciousness. To add to its many strengths, the book is written in a style that is compelling for specialists and students alike, making it an excellent choice for undergraduate courses in post-Soviet culture, cinema, and history.” — Alyssa DeBlasio, John B. Parsons Chair in the Liberal Arts & Sciences, Dickinson College

“Parallel Realities in Russian and Ukrainian Cinema is an insightful, synoptic, analysis of the use of historical film since 1991 in Russia and Ukraine. Comparing competing cinematic treatments of Kyivan Rus, the Cossack heritage, World War Two, the Soviet era and depictions of Russia’s post 2014 war on Ukraine, Shlikhar shows two contrasting visions of the same historical events (or myths) and alternative visions of society. Whereas Ukrainian film concentrates on trauma and open enquiry, Russia actively promotes top-down monolithic narratives of nostalgia. This is a much-needed corrective to sometimes inadvertently russocentric surveys of post-Soviet film, and boost to Ukrainian film history.” — Jeremy Hicks, Professor of Post-Soviet Cultural History and Film, Queen Mary University of London

“The long shadow of a memory war haunts Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. One of its most powerful cultural weapons, especially since 1991, has been film. In this insightful and urgent book, Tetiana Shlikhar explores the clashing, discordant visions of the past driving Ukrainian and Russian films after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. What emerges is a striking portrait of Russian cinema advancing the imperialist aims of the state and of Ukrainian cinema plumbing the emotional worlds of the people. A must-read for anyone striving to understand the deeper roots of the most dangerous conflict in Europe since the Second World War.” — Rory Finnin, Professor of Ukrainian Studies, University of Cambridge

This book explores recent Russian and Ukrainian cinema to uncover the roots of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It examines how Russian cinema fosters patriotic narratives and unity, while Ukrainian films address colonial trauma and national identity. Russian and Ukrainian films depict their shared past quite differently, highlighting deep-rooted tensions between the two nations.

• | Author: Tetyana Shlikhar
• | Publisher: Academic Studies Press
• | Publication Date: Aug 28, 2025
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Hardback
• | ISBN-13: 9798897830145
• | ISBN-10: 889783014Y