This paper will trace the influence of the ideological movement of Eurasianism in the works of Nikita Mikhalkov, particularly his film Urga/East of Eden. While scholars have looked at the influence of classical Russian literature on the works of Mikhalkov, particularly the work of Anton Chekhov, no attention has been drawn to the influence the popular ideological school of Eurasianism has had on his works. The paper will start by outlining the most important features of Eurasianism, with particular focus being paid to how it constructs cultural and political relationships as outlined by N. S. Trubetskoi in his essay “My i drugie.” (Istoriia, kul’tura, iazyk, 1995, 349-361) and L. Gumilev’s theory of passionarnost’ as postulated in Etnogenez i biosfera (2003). It will then look at how Mikhalkov appropriates these concepts in his treatment of Russian nationality, particularly Urga/Close to Eden and Utomlennye solntsem/Burnt by the Sun .
Bibliography:
Gumilev, Lev. Etnogenez i biosfera zemli, Moskva: Airis Press, 2003
Trubetskoi, N. S. Istoriia, kul’tura, iazyk. Moskva: Izdatel’skaia
gruppa “Progress,” “Univers,” 1995
Mikhalkov, N. “Ideia dlia Rossii,” Rossiiskaia gazeta, January
9, 1998
_________ Urga, territoriia liubvi/Close to Eden. 1991
_________ Utomlennye solntsem/Burnt by the Sun, 1994