Growing up with a Russian family, I have always heard the comments from my parents and relatives about how Americans perceive them in movies. For example, in the cartoon movie, Anastasia, Russians in St.Petersburg are singing about the mysteries of the lost princess. Although I love the movie, my mom always points out that when they sing their tongues stick out excessively. No movie producer would put that in just for nothing. It makes American children subconsciously think Russians are stupid because only people who are making fun of someone who is not as smart makes those faces. When in fact, American speak more with their tongues than Russians, and neither cultures stick their tongues out while talking.
Another movie that has had a lot of controversy in eastern Europe is Chernobyl. Chernobyl was a terrible disaster that affected millions in many countries and for many generations. My grandpa was the head doctor treating the patients once the accident happened and my family is well known for for that. Being said, once the movie came out about the Chernobyl victims turning into zombies, a lot of people were angry. In their eyes, it would be like making a movie about the 9/11 victims turning into zombies, doesn't seem like a good movie idea when you think about it like that.
Gangs, drunks, villain, and prostitutes: that about sums up the roles Russians play in American movies. In most American movies, Russians are up to no good. With the help of the movie industry, even children associate a Russian accent with a villain. Even if a movie shows a Russian as someone smart, they backfire by making them evil or drunk. Growing up, I didn't understand why my parents would get mad, but looking back, they didn't want me to associate being Russian as something bad.
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