Reel War: The Soviet-Afghan War on Screen

• In Event: "New Thinking” in the Glasnost Years: Opportunity and Disillusionment

Abstract

This paper charts the flow of the Soviet-Afghan War on screen as the conflict raged, focusing on the changes in its depiction in Soviet film and on television. Specifically, the paper looks at four works in chronological order between 1983-1989, three feature films and a documentary that aired on Soviet television. The portrayal of the Soviet-Afghan War on screen during the decade reveals an evolution from hopeful, patriotic support of the conflict to bitter disillusionment.

Author

• Jeff W. Jones, UNC at Greensboro