DEPICTION OF THE HUMAN BEING IN LATVIAN FEATURE FILMS. THE SOVIET PERIOD

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to characterise, compare and analyse the depiction of the human being in Latvian feature films during the Soviet period – afterWorldWar II (in the 1950–60ies) and the 1970–80ies. In the centre of the world created by films of each of these periods there is a person of a different type who (directly or indirectly) offers a message about his/her time: it is obviously depicted in the value systems of the characters, as well as the models of actions and their visual images. When taking into account the influence of visual images created by the cinema and, frequently, its direct participation in transferring the message to the audience, special attention is paid to the visual aesthetics of the films: the positioning of the camera, lights, assembly, the composition of the film frame, and the placement of actors in it. Another essential theme that requires particular attention is the choice of actors/types of personalities, that is, the correspondence of the visual images (appearance) of film characters or, on the contrary, there is a contrast with the official concepts, stereotypes and/or canons of the particular period. The paper highlights films and actors that are typical of the respective periods, providing an analysis of vivid screen images and a series of films.