The Image of Family and Family Education in Soviet Feature Films during the Perestroika Era

The article focuses on the portrayal of family and family education in Soviet feature films during the Perestroika era (the mid-1980s -the early 1990s) which reflected broader societal shifts occurring in the Soviet Union.The Perestroika era marked a period of profound transformation for Soviet cinema too.The way family and education were depicted in feature films during that time offers deep insights into the complexities of Soviet life during a period of political, ideological and cultural transformations.Filmmakers used cinema as a tool for criticising the flaws of the Soviet system, highlighting such issues as bureaucracy, corruption, and economic inefficiency.As the country was moving towards greater openness and reforms, film industry became a space for questioning and exploring the intricacies of family life, generational conflict, and the role of family education.Family was a recurring theme, frequently used as a microcosm for socio-cultural changes but the focus shifted from idealized portrayals of collective Soviet society to more nuanced, individual-cantered storylines that emphasized personal freedom, rebellion, and the search for identity.The generation gap also drastically aggravated: with increased freedom of expression, feature films depicted the tension between the older generation and the younger generation.Also, Perestroika-era feature films explored such themes as emotional alienation, marital breakdowns, and the pressure of social expectations on individuals.Film characters, particularly children and teenagers, were often depicted as questioning authority, whether that of parents, teachers, or the state itself.On the other hand, this theme emphasized the idea that, in times of political or economic turmoil, a supportive family could be the key to personal and collective survival.