The cartoon "Polygon"

[Susexx]

Ок, I consider that in the history of Soviet Union there were also unpleasant moments. In my family too it is a lot of victims both from a Gulag and from war in Afghanistan and the Chechen Republic. But I would not began to say that was badly. Many aspects of social policy were much more above than now. Likely before Christopher Columbus's arrival to America too was and it is good and bad simultaneously.

With friendly greetings, yours the neighbour, Susexx!

[antikristuseke]

Of course, there were good things and there were bad things, but overall I prefer the situation now to what it was then.

I think there is a kind of Slavic mentality that is quite melancholic in art, just read some of the books they've written like War & Peace, Dr Zhivago, etc., not many happy endings there. Partly I guess this is due to the fact that Russia/USSR has always been a pretty difficult place to live to the average people. With the Czar they had land slavery etc. and then came socialism and the basic things improved a little but a lot of things led to power struggles and eventually the iron curtain.

[Susexx]

Ok guys, cartoon with positive end

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by Happy Times

My personal observations.

You can never fully understand them if you dont learn the language and live there.

You can try by reading their history especially from the time and end of the Mongol rule.
They are fatalistic and it seems to come from very tough times endured.

Individual Russians are usually very warm and welcoming persons.
But to be true friends with them is usually not so easy and they have a small but very loyal inner circle.
They really only trust these people.

Its when they are addressed as a nation or a group they are often a pain in the butt.
They have a practical sense about violence and war that conflicts with the western view.

They are often very curious about the outside world and its views towards them.
They are usually very proud of being Russian but still periodically have low esteem about themselfs.

All this combined explains a lot of the fatalistic attitude, dark humor and acceptance for authoritarian rule by small cliques.

As a Russian myself, I would have to say that's an extremely accurate general description. You definitely have a good understanding of the culture in this regard.

Otherwise as far as former republics, look, it's not the Russians that have to apologize. It's their unelected and oppressive leaders. While I completely understand that the republics and other countries of the "near abroad" have definitely been wronged and were relatively worse off under Soviet pressure/rule than independently, I disagree that they got the short end of the stick. If anyone did, it was almost always the Russians themselves. In fact day-to-day conditions in republics, from what I know, were better than the Russian SSR itself (and I know this from having relatives in Estonia myself) for most of Soviet rule. But again, perhaps Russians just had less to miss as far as freedom and prosperity goes...

That said, I'm personally sorry that it had to be that way. I wish those mistreated by Soviet authorities, however, would stop projecting their anger and disdain onto today's Russians (and at least to some extent today's Russian state, although it does deserve a fair amount of skepticism). Most of those complicit in the injustices of those days are dead or at least retired now. And I really wish that the new generation of Russians grows up without the impression that the rest of the world hates them for wrongs that they as individuals never really had a part in.

And that is a really great animation, by the way. Very original visual style, thoughtful (if indeed very glum) concept.

[krashkart]

Originally Posted by Susexx

Ok guys, cartoon with positive end

"Minister of Customs" lmao

Okay, still watching....


[Later]
Hey, that was a cute cartoon. I love how he gets his cards back.

[Susexx]

Originally Posted by CCIP

As a Russian myself, I would have to say that's an extremely accurate general description. You definitely have a good understanding of the culture in this regard.

Otherwise as far as former republics, look, it's not the Russians that have to apologize. It's their unelected and oppressive leaders. While I completely understand that the republics and other countries of the "near abroad" have definitely been wronged and were relatively worse off under Soviet pressure/rule than independently, I disagree that they got the short end of the stick. If anyone did, it was almost always the Russians themselves. In fact day-to-day conditions in republics, from what I know, were better than the Russian SSR itself (and I know this from having relatives in Estonia myself) for most of Soviet rule. But again, perhaps Russians just had less to miss as far as freedom and prosperity goes...

That said, I'm personally sorry that it had to be that way. I wish those mistreated by Soviet authorities, however, would stop projecting their anger and disdain onto today's Russians (and at least to some extent today's Russian state, although it does deserve a fair amount of skepticism).

And that is a really great animation, by the way. Very original visual style, thoughtful (if indeed very glum) concept.

It agree completely.

[Susexx]

Originally Posted by krashkart

Hey, that was a cute cartoon. I love how he gets his cards back.

You want still Russian cartoon films?

[krashkart]

Originally Posted by Susexx

You want still Russian cartoon films?

Sure, post away. I should add some to my YouTube favorites.

[Susexx]

Very malicious cartoon film in two parts. Writer Gauf me always scarecrows about the fairy tales
part 1

part 2

And funny

[TLAM Strike]

Thanks Susexx! I really enjoyed the Tank and Playing Cards cartoons.

Both of those would make good Twilight Zone or Outer Limits episodes!

[Susexx]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Thanks Susexx! I really enjoyed the Tank and Playing Cards cartoons.

Both of those would make good Twilight Zone or Outer Limits episodes!

Simply the theme has for some reason begun sad and I have decided to cheer a little up.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Susexx

Very malicious cartoon film in two parts. Writer Gauf me always scarecrows about the fairy tales
part 1

I think Chewbacca makes a cameo at 1:58...

[Happy Times]

Originally Posted by CCIP

As a Russian myself, I would have to say that's an extremely accurate general description. You definitely have a good understanding of the culture in this regard.

Otherwise as far as former republics, look, it's not the Russians that have to apologize. It's their unelected and oppressive leaders. While I completely understand that the republics and other countries of the "near abroad" have definitely been wronged and were relatively worse off under Soviet pressure/rule than independently, I disagree that they got the short end of the stick. If anyone did, it was almost always the Russians themselves. In fact day-to-day conditions in republics, from what I know, were better than the Russian SSR itself (and I know this from having relatives in Estonia myself) for most of Soviet rule. But again, perhaps Russians just had less to miss as far as freedom and prosperity goes...

That said, I'm personally sorry that it had to be that way. I wish those mistreated by Soviet authorities, however, would stop projecting their anger and disdain onto today's Russians (and at least to some extent today's Russian state, although it does deserve a fair amount of skepticism). Most of those complicit in the injustices of those days are dead or at least retired now. And I really wish that the new generation of Russians grows up without the impression that the rest of the world hates them for wrongs that they as individuals never really had a part in.

And that is a really great animation, by the way. Very original visual style, thoughtful (if indeed very glum) concept.

Thank you and in principal i agree, my beef is with the version of history promoted in Russia.

It is dualistic like many other things in Russia.
Government can condemn and promote Stalins time for example.
Russians desire to be excepted as European but at the same time want to hold that they are something different.

To me Russia is an matryoshka doll, enigma within enigma.
Often i understand some events or reactions after they have happened when i get past the Finnish mindset.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Thank you all for the interesting perspectives.

I have to admit, the Soviet Union still sounds like a living hell to me, but it's nice to get some perspective on the quality of life there. The only perspective I have comes from my Ukranian stepmother, who alternates between loving and hating the Soviet Union. When she has to pay for a doctor's appointment she loves the Union. When she goes to Wal-Mart she hates it.

As interesting as these perspectives are, I think I'm more comfortable with my Western lifestyle and mindset; "Better dead, than Red"