Soviet cameras, American racism, and one very angry mayor—1973 propaganda hits different.
In the second film, the author tells about the struggle of blacks for the right to feel equal with all US citizens. Commentary of the mayor of Cairo, one of the cities in the American South, about the suppression of the rebels, about the most brutal methods of fighting African American protesters. Jesse Jackson's speech. Jesse Jackson's commentary on the Black Rights Organization. Comments by female residents of Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, on the degree of mental development of whites and blacks. A story about the Ku Klux Klan, about Robert Shelton - the head of the Ku Klux Klan. Speech by American singer and dramatic actor Paul Robson, his commentary. Shots of the Olympics, victories in the competition of black athletes. About reprisals against Negro organizations. The widow of the American writer Ernest Hemingway Mary and the American scientist Henry Winston speak out about support for African Americans and the fight against racism.
Editing
Jarring cuts between Klan rallies and Black athletes—propaganda as sledgehammer.
Direction
Semyonov weaponizes American footage against its own mythology.
Director
Anatoliy Semyonov
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of a five-film Soviet series dissecting American contradictions—Cold War Netflix before Netflix existed.
Valentin Zorin was the USSR's go-to voice for America-bashing; this narration is basically his greatest hits.
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