Author: Jake Zawlacki

This paper examines the existential aspects of Georgiy Daneliya’s films during the Soviet Era of Stagnation under Leonid Brezhnev. By looking at certain thematic elements employed by the director, we can see a larger critique of the time and place in which these films were created. Coupling Daneliya’s films with theories posited by existential philosophers such as Nietzsche, Sartre and Camus, this paper draws on the thematic similarities and pinpoints specific examples in the films that may apply to the Soviet society at large.

Keywords: Daneliya, Existentialism, Russian Film, Soviet Film, Brezhnev, Nietzsche, Camus, Sartre.

Jake Zawlacki, M.A. (Russian, Eastern European and Eurasian Studies), M.F.A. Student, Department of English, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge-Louisiana, United States of America. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.