As relations between the United States and the Russian Federation have grown confrontational over the prolonged crisis in Ukraine, pausing to refocus on diplomatic fundamentals is increasingly important for reconciliation. Effective diplomacy is greatly enhanced by mutual cultural understanding–an influential intangible that promotes trust and respect while facilitating cooperation and compromise. To develop cultural understanding between the U.S. and Russia, the American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation (ARCCF) and American University’s Initiative for Russian Culture (IRC) seek to connect the next generation of American diplomats to the versatility and richness of Russian art, literature, film, language, and history. Such an appreciation for the perspective and life experiences of another group of people is critical to transcend inaccurate stereotypes and establish mutually beneficial relations.
In mid-November, the ARCCF and IRC honored the invaluable role of photojournalism and film in promoting cultural understanding between the U.S. and Russia. The event lauded Russian filmmaker Karen Shakhnazarov and the National Geographic Society for their efforts in helping U.S. and Russian publics appreciate their counterparts. “It certainly helps people to understand each other,” said Mr. Shakhnazarov of film and photojournalism; they are an “important tool for rapprochement.”
“Culture means a lot of different things to different people,” said John Fahey, Chairman of the Board of the National Geographic Society, “but what it fundamentally is, is a point of view of a group of people who share the same experience of life. So, whether it’s in a community, a city, or whether it’s in a country or part of a country, those individuals have a view of the world in terms of how they see things, understand things, express themselves, and communicate that’s based on their life experience that is somewhat common. That’s a culture… All those different experiences give us all a chance to think differently.” And thinking differently, seeing the world from the social, economic, and political perspective of another’s experience is the core of cultural understanding.
Photojournalism and cinematography play an essential role in exposing countries to foreign cultures, and assist in the development of genuine understanding. These artistic mediums enable people to see others’ situations, the lives they lead, the belief systems they cherish, the struggles they face, and the traditions they have. It facilitates understanding of the social, economic, and political circumstances present in other countries. Photojournalism and cinematography have the ability to transport people across the world, short of actually traveling abroad. And because films and photographs appeal to the masses, if they are done well, it allows people to deeply “understand the people, the country, and the feeling in that country” where the films and photographs are made, said Mr. Shakhnazarov.
In an era when conflict, competition, disagreement, and hostility are rampant, cultural understanding provides an avenue for cooperation. Susan Carmel Lehrman, founder of the IRC, maintained that genuine cultural understanding is critical for mutual respect, and is needed to work through any international political, economic, and social issue. She stated that it is easy to get caught up in stereotypes about what other groups of people are like. Quality films and honest photography tear down preconceived notions and moves passed the limits of stereotypes. These outlets promote interaction and “The more interaction the better,” said Ms. Lehrman. The ARCCF and IRC establish meaningful interaction between the future diplomatic leaders of the U.S. and Russia, confident that such exchanges enable people to move beyond their worldview and truly see things from another perspective. Although far from the solution to all problems, cultural understanding through photojournalism and cinematography facilitates understanding, Mr. Fahey said, of “how people can live and work together.”
Photo courtesy of American University's Initiative for Russian Culture.
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Cultural Understanding in U.S.-Russia Relations: The Role of Photojournalism and Film
December 11, 2014
As relations between the United States and the Russian Federation have grown confrontational over the prolonged crisis in Ukraine, pausing to refocus on diplomatic fundamentals is increasingly important for reconciliation. Effective diplomacy is greatly enhanced by mutual cultural understanding–an influential intangible that promotes trust and respect while facilitating cooperation and compromise. To develop cultural understanding between the U.S. and Russia, the American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation (ARCCF) and American University’s Initiative for Russian Culture (IRC) seek to connect the next generation of American diplomats to the versatility and richness of Russian art, literature, film, language, and history. Such an appreciation for the perspective and life experiences of another group of people is critical to transcend inaccurate stereotypes and establish mutually beneficial relations.
In mid-November, the ARCCF and IRC honored the invaluable role of photojournalism and film in promoting cultural understanding between the U.S. and Russia. The event lauded Russian filmmaker Karen Shakhnazarov and the National Geographic Society for their efforts in helping U.S. and Russian publics appreciate their counterparts. “It certainly helps people to understand each other,” said Mr. Shakhnazarov of film and photojournalism; they are an “important tool for rapprochement.”
“Culture means a lot of different things to different people,” said John Fahey, Chairman of the Board of the National Geographic Society, “but what it fundamentally is, is a point of view of a group of people who share the same experience of life. So, whether it’s in a community, a city, or whether it’s in a country or part of a country, those individuals have a view of the world in terms of how they see things, understand things, express themselves, and communicate that’s based on their life experience that is somewhat common. That’s a culture… All those different experiences give us all a chance to think differently.” And thinking differently, seeing the world from the social, economic, and political perspective of another’s experience is the core of cultural understanding.
Photojournalism and cinematography play an essential role in exposing countries to foreign cultures, and assist in the development of genuine understanding. These artistic mediums enable people to see others’ situations, the lives they lead, the belief systems they cherish, the struggles they face, and the traditions they have. It facilitates understanding of the social, economic, and political circumstances present in other countries. Photojournalism and cinematography have the ability to transport people across the world, short of actually traveling abroad. And because films and photographs appeal to the masses, if they are done well, it allows people to deeply “understand the people, the country, and the feeling in that country” where the films and photographs are made, said Mr. Shakhnazarov.
In an era when conflict, competition, disagreement, and hostility are rampant, cultural understanding provides an avenue for cooperation. Susan Carmel Lehrman, founder of the IRC, maintained that genuine cultural understanding is critical for mutual respect, and is needed to work through any international political, economic, and social issue. She stated that it is easy to get caught up in stereotypes about what other groups of people are like. Quality films and honest photography tear down preconceived notions and moves passed the limits of stereotypes. These outlets promote interaction and “The more interaction the better,” said Ms. Lehrman. The ARCCF and IRC establish meaningful interaction between the future diplomatic leaders of the U.S. and Russia, confident that such exchanges enable people to move beyond their worldview and truly see things from another perspective. Although far from the solution to all problems, cultural understanding through photojournalism and cinematography facilitates understanding, Mr. Fahey said, of “how people can live and work together.”
Photo courtesy of American University's Initiative for Russian Culture.
