Generation P
dir. Victor Ginzburg (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)
Generation P is adapted from the much-praised much-translated novel by Victor Pelevin, a plot-less fragmentary book which was reputed to be unfilmable. It’s now a wildly satirical movie.
Victor Ginzburg’s film, which made its international premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic, has a plot – a young man’s ascent (or descent) from a claustrophobic street kiosk into the world of consumerized sloganeering in the Russian advertising industry.
An Ad-Man in Moscow (Vladimiir Yepifantsev) Reaches for Wisdom from Nature in Generation P
It also has something of an argument, which shouldn’t be held against it – that the creation of a message in advertising involves the same kind of work as the creation of a message in politics. We’ve seen that here in the US. (Just go back to Joe McGinnis’s brilliant Nixonology, The Selling of a President 1968, for a great Roger & Me {Ailes,that is} adventure. Let’s not forget that it was Nixon who arranged for Pepsi, led by his friend and financial supporter Donald Kendall, to be the US Cola of Brezhnev’s USSR.) That was the soft sell. In Stalinist times, artists were called the engineers of human souls. Bear in mind that when persuasion falls short in Moscow, the Russians tend to shape popular opinion with tanks.
The director of Generation P seems anything but Russian. Victor Ginzburg looks and talks like someone who lives in Venice Beach, California, where Ginzburg resides. But Ginzburg is Russian – just as Russian is Victor Pelevin’s book that reaches for entropic hallucinatory roots in Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita – an underappreciated novel that’s more cited than read. There’s a modern Russian literary tradition of things coming apart, and Generation P makes its own contribution.
Another extraordinary novel adapted for the screen and shown at KVIFF 2011, Marketa Lazarova by Vladislav Vancura, is described as untranslatable. It is set among the warring clans of medieval Bohemia, which makes Moscow of today look civilized. The epic film in stark black and white by Frantisek Vlacil was released in 1967, around the same time as Andrei Tarkovsky’s Andrei Rublev. Guess which one is better known? Marketa Lazarova remains the most popular Czech film ever made. The restored print should be touring the US sometime soon.
Back to Generation P – the tale of Russia today follows a street vendor, Babylen Tatarsky (Vladimiir Yepifantsev), who enters the world of advertising after meeting an old friend who has struck it rich in the art of mass persuasion. He flees the kiosk, clips off his mullet, buys new clothes and “creates” campaigns for Marlboro (“we need a guy with a cowboy hat and lots of oppressed people”). He also fuels the sale of Harley-Davidsons with anti-Semitic footage of a Hasid riding a motorcycle that’s anything but politically correct (“we can’t let David’s sons drive our Harleys – Russian people, awake”). Conspicuous consumption is leveraged in the slogan that calls Durex prophylactics “the Jaguar of condoms.”
Generation P - A Tour through a New Russian Culture Under Construction and Under Siege
There’s plenty about Generation P on YouTube, including an interview with the author of the novel.
You’ve seen the satire of Madison Avenue before – although not too much on US commercial television, which lives off advertising. Russia was late to the game here, and there’s plenty to be mocked there these days. Think of jokes directed toward communism in the stand-up comedy of the underappreciated Yakov Smirnoff. (Where is he now?) Then think again. Think of a Russian Monty Python — on LSD.
It’s logical that the explosive look of Generation P lurches into territory between collage and kaleidescope. Don’t forget that some extraordinary Russian works of art of the 20th century are collages. Some of the hallucinations of the 21st century are, too – like Generation P.
Generation P can veer toward the sophomoric, in the same vein that MAD magazine and The Simpsons and John Stewart do. And why not? The new Russia seems to be a place run by Young Men with huge adolescent appetites for money, women and fame.
Ginzburg’s odyssey among oligarchs, autocrats and consumer serfdom won’t induce you to book a vacation in Russia – where more than 500 prints of Generation P were released in April – but you’ll be struck by its visual energy and imagination. You don’t see many Russia comedies, and this is one that’s not holding back. Who said that cutthroat capitalism couldn’t be funny?
Tags: Bulgakov, Generation P, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Master and Margarita, Nixon, Putin, Russia, USSR, Victor Ginzburg, Victor Pelevin
Tags: 
P is for Pepsi, and Putin, and Psychedelia | Outtakes | ARTINFO.com I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re incredible! Thanks! your article about P is for Pepsi, and Putin, and Psychedelia | Outtakes | ARTINFO.com Best Regards Craig Cassetta
P is for Pepsi, and Putin, and Psychedelia | Outtakes | ARTINFO.com I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks! your article about P is for Pepsi, and Putin, and Psychedelia | Outtakes | ARTINFO.com Best Regards Agata Agata
I got what you specify, thanks for putting up. Woh I am glad to effort this website finished google. Thanks For Share P is for Pepsi, and Putin, and Psychedelia | Outtakes | ARTINFO.com.
This article is for professionals..!!
Some professional reviewers have been raving about the “single shot” action sequence with Nic Cage when in fact it clearly was not a single shot take.
I think this website holds some really great info for everyone : D.
some truly rattling work on behalf of the owner of this web site , utterly outstanding written content .
Just wanna remark on few general things, The website pattern is perfect, the content material is rattling good : D.
Thanks for the concepts you discuss through your blog. In addition, quite a few young women which become pregnant will not even attempt to get medical insurance because they dread they couldn’t qualify. Although some states right now require that insurers produce coverage irrespective of the pre-existing conditions. Prices on all these guaranteed options are usually greater, but when thinking about the high cost of medical treatment it may be a new safer approach to take to protect your financial future.
Valuable info and fantastic style and design you received listed here! I might want to thanks for sharing your tips and placing some time to the article content you publish! Awesome work!
Hi there We are so happy We discovered the webpage, I definitely seen u by error, whilst We was searching within Aol relating to some thing varied, Nevertheless I am right here and We might unquestionably choose to state cheers for that fabulous submitting additionally a over-all entertaining website
Hey There. I found your page browsing with yahoo. This is often an extremely well developed post. I will you should definitely bookmark it and return to study alot more of one’s handy data. Thank you for sharing it. I’ll positively be back again once again.
Excellent goods from you, man. P is for Pepsi, and Putin, and Psychedelia | Outtakes | ARTINFO.com I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too magnificent. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is actually a tremendous P is for Pepsi, and Putin, and Psychedelia | Outtakes | ARTINFO.com informations.
Was’t looking for this specifically but I took the time to read it and wanted to say thanks A~
I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website
Which platform do you recommend to a newcomer? The latest version of BlogEngine or another platform?
Good site! I really love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I might be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!
Hey There. I found your web page researching with yahoo. This can be a particularly effectively created content. I’ll be sure you bookmark it and return to study more within your handy information. Thank you for sharing it. I’ll definitely be back yet again.
I am glad to get a visitor of this everlasting weblog ! , value it for that details! .
Beneficial facts and terrific style you received below! I might love to thank you for sharing your suggestions and placing time into the articles or blog posts you publish! Great deliver the results!
What an incredible internet site. I’m happy I found it.It’s good to read one thing engaging I cannot find subscription record
Hi there everyone. I used to be just browsing the world wide web for enjoyable and came on your site. Terrific article. Thank you quite a lot for sharing your experience! It is actually excellent to learn that a lot of people nonetheless set in an energy into taking care of their website pages. I’ll be sure to take a look at back from time totime.
Your web site could be very practical. Thanks a lot for supplying loads of valuable articles and other content. We have bookmark your blog page web page and can be without having doubt coming back again. After just as before, I enjoy all your do the job and in addition comeing here to communicate with me.
I just want to inform you that I am highly new to running a blog and honestly savored you’re website online. Probable I’m doubtless to bookmark your web site . You surely include enormous article content. Many thanks a bunch for sharing with us your webpage.
Hi there anybody. I used to be just browsing the internet for pleasurable and arrived upon your website. Wonderful post. Many thanks quite a bit for sharing your experience! It is usually very good to find out that a number of people even now put in an attention into managing their internet sites. I’ll be sure to examine back
http://crossfitindestri.com/wordpress/?p=186
I really hope you certainly not prevent! This is on the list of very best weblogs Ive ever go through. Youve got some mad talent right here, guy. I just hope that you just dont shed your style as youre unquestionably one of several coolest bloggers these days. Please hold it up since the world wide web demands anyone like you spreading the phrase.
My partner and I stumbled over here from a different web page and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to exploring your web page for a second time.
I just want to say I am all new to weblog and honestly liked you’re web site. Likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . You actually come with amazing posts. Regards for revealing your blog.
I think other website proprietors should take this internet site as an example , very clean and good user friendly layout.
Perfect work you have done, this web site is really cool with good info .
Im posting this here simply because this household is extremely religious.. . Pregnant with their nineteenth child.. . How did they afford to support all of those little ones pre-reality show?.
Whats the difference between Anna having a camera crew video tape the birth, and A baby story, where the cameras are doing the same thing, to total strangers you watch on TV????? Childbirth is a completely natural thing. If Anna didnt want the camera crews there, Im sure she would have said so.
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My site addresses a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free to send me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!
[...] for Pepsi, Putin, Propaganda, and Psychedelia. Did I leave out Paranoia? Here’s my reaction when first seeing the film at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in [...]
Hey theгe just wantеd tο give you
a quick headѕ up. The tеxt in your pοst seem to be running off the
scrееn in Chгome. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d pοst to let you know.
The desіgn loοk great though! Hοpe
you get thе issue solveԁ soon.
Kudοs
Hi I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you by error, while I was researching on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a incredible post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the awesome job.
My partner and I stumbled over here by a different web address and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking over your web page repeatedly.
Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My site discusses a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you’re interested feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Superb blog by the way!
Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any recommendations for beginner blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.
Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, excellent site!
Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
Hi there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading through your blog posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same topics? Thanks a ton!
What a fantastic idea, I cannot wait around to receive my first letter!
Howdy! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when browsing from my iphone 4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. With thanks!
Great post, i sure enough love your website, continue on it.6364 SE MCNARY RD MILWAUKIE, OR 97267
Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!
Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site? My blog is in the exact same niche as yours and my visitors would really benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Many thanks!