Patriotic Films

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 67, 20 March 1936, Page 10

Patriotic Films

NEW TREND IN RUSSIA MOSCOW. Everything is now being done to rouse the country to a fervour ol patriotism. Until last year it had bees one of the lew social emotions which, though not entirely neglected, was certainly little emphasiseu. Russia was spoken of as "me Fatherland of tilt world proletariat," with little mentioi of "Rodina, ” the Fatherland of tin' Soviet citizen, which is now being stressed.

One of tho most striking and also one of the most typical, patriotic films which made their appearance in recent months is "Aerograd" (Air Uityj. The scene is laid in tho Soviet Far East, and it shows how Soviet peasants, unaided by police or fled Army, capture and deal with a Japanese spy who is, attempting to disrupt the lile of their collective farm. As in all the Russian films of this type, the basic theme' ol "Aerograd" is "defence of the Socialist Fatherland.'’ Russians aro called on to light for their country, not alone because it is Russia, their traditional home, but because the victory of an enemy would bring with it a return of ‘capitalist oppression." "Aerograd" is the first film to be spec-lic in 'ts indication of a loreign enemy, although even in this case the name of Japan is never mentioned. The spy is a typical Japanese and calls himself samurai. And when ultimately caught by Soviet authorities in the act of inciting the disgruntled portion of the peasantry against the Red rule, the samurai fervently announces his faith in the fact that rich, fertile Siberia must become tho property of his people and that others will follow him in the task of wresting it from its present possessors.

Although no anti-German film of 3 similar typo to “Aerograd” has been shown, one is soon expected.