Georgian Cinema Studies

Observations, Challenges, and the Colonial Legacy

Abstract

The collapse of the Soviet Union allowed for newly critical discourse and access to archives, shedding light on the history of Soviet censorship. Previously unknown primary sources, testimonies, and official documents have entered scholarly discourse. However, narratives rooted in colonial history and present-day Russian expansionism have persisted. This article examines the established Soviet approaches towards knowledge production in film studies within the postcolonial framework and reflects on today's practices and deficiencies in reconstructing film heritage. It also critically explores Soviet Georgian films exhibiting colonial cultural codes and stereotypes. These examples illustrate the topics and the representations that played an instrumental role in establishing and strengthening colonial perspectives with the help of the film medium.