Russian Language and Literature

The verses and melodies of these tunes are familiar to almost everyone in Russia. However, some of them are still debated whether they are folk or simply stylized by an author in recent times.

Some of these movies served as inspiration for Hollywood directors. Meanwhile, one of them was partially filmed in actual space!

Russian actress Irina Starshenbaum plays the titular character in the movie that recently premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF23). You can also catch her in the upcoming sci-fi movie ‘The Primary Talent’. We take a closer look at Irina and her life leading up to international stardom.

From Tolstoy's contemporaries to 21st century writers - these are the most loyal admirers of the author of “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina”.

This Russian artist, who was extremely popular in the West in the 1920s-1930s, was, until recently, all but forgotten in his own country. And many of his works were considered lost.

Weaving belts with folk motifs is a traditional Slavic craft. From the peasant's point of view, any girdle was an object capable of warding off evil spirits and disease, since the belt and cross possessed the same protective function. Marvel at this almost forgotten skill.

These great talents have already left a powerful artistic legacy that transcends any socio-political viewpoints and debates.

Throughout Russian history, churches were often the prettiest and most prestigious buildings in the whole city. Golden or colored church domes have always inspired artists.

Thanks to Russian emigres in France, Boris Lipnitzki took pictures of the most famous people – artists, filmmakers, designers, actresses and ballerinas.

Alexey Bogolyubov was a nobleman, the grandson of author Alexander Radishchev, and a naval officer that became an artist and is memorable not just for his marine paintings, but also for the fact that he managed to open the first public museum outside of the capital and to give it the name of his disgraced grandfather.

The village of Zhostovo, outside Moscow, is renowned for its unique lacquer trays. An iron sheet is first bent, covered with black primer, painted, then varnished with a protective layer. Observe the fascinating process!

In the USSR, healthy lifestyles and sports were actively promoted. After all, a Soviet man had to be strong and hardy in order to work well and benefit society.

Russia’s main art museum actively introduces new technologies and supports the idea of digital art. In September 2023, the Hermitage put NFT tokens with digital versions of unique works from the museum’s collection up for sale.

Over the course of his entire career, Bulatov has been communicating his ideas to the viewer with a unique visual language depicted in his paintings. One of the founders of Moscow Conceptualism and Sots Art, the genius of his art has expanded the borders between art and regular life. He sees his paintings as the only reality that he believes in.

This style that was popular during the rule of Joseph Stalin was rather eclectic, and it combined the elements and trends of various architectural schools. But the main features were monumentality and grandiosity.

Not many residential buildings in Russia can boast of having their own subway station. We reveal the story behind another of Stalin’s ‘Seven Sisters’ high-rises - this time, at Krasnye Vorota.

These soundtracks are still often played on Russian radio stations and the movies themselves are watched over and over, even by those who never lived in the USSR.

It’s considered the most beautiful time of the year that has inspired many Russian artists with its riot of colors.

How a fondness for both military themes and cats grew into a whole series of meme pictures seen all over the internet.

In the USSR, educating the next generation was taken seriously. Movies for children and teenagers were supposed to instill the right values in the future builders of communism.

Russian artists were not into painting Medieval horrors like Goya or Bosch, but their paintings will sometimes make your hair stand on end, too.

Luc Besson picked Petrov from among many contenders for his spy thriller 'Anna' (2019) and Roman Polanski's movie 'The Palace' starring Alexander is one of the most eagerly anticipated premieres at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.

The building, built in the traditional Russian style, became part of the capital’s cultural heritage - but not before enduring a barrage of criticism. Construction was financially draining, which angered the then-new government, and even caused one of the architects’ health to deteriorate in the process. Let’s take a closer look at the history of the legendary hotel.

What was the money for the most expensive Soviet movie spent on? Which movie was the USSR awarded its first Oscar for? Why was the first movie with sound banned? Find the answer to these questions and discover other facts about Russian cinema below!

Prime Video has a wide selection of Russian movies – from the documentary classic ‘Man with a Movie Camera’ by Dziga Vertov to the war drama ‘They Fought for Their Country’ by Oscar laureate Sergei Bondarchuk. It’s easy to get lost in such a list. So, we picked the best movies from recent years in different genres, from sci-fi to melodrama, for you.

The mystical beauty of the harsh Siberian lake attracts millions of tourists. But, for those lucky enough to see dancers floating above the water’s surface, it will remain one of the most memorable impressions in their lives.

From thrillers to action movies to romantic melodramas - below are the most interesting examples of Russian filmmaking available on the streaming service today.

No one has ever sculpted Moscow in this material before. Surprisingly, only plasticine is able to convey all the richness of colors and shapes of such a diverse city as Moscow.

Master craftsman Anatoly Konenko creates microminiatures that are impossible to see with the naked eye. The smallest movements required to create these miniatures he makes in between heartbeats.

Russian and Soviet artists could easily have been cast in the roles of these Hollywood actors.