Communist Entertainment

Koumei · Post by **Koumei** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:22 am

So, fairly soon I'm turning 26*, and I decided to hold a theme party: the Communist Party. If it goes really well (see: if we get really drunk) we might end up overthrowing the current government.

Anyway, the theme basically means I'll provide vodka, and that any snacks and drinks that people bring will belong to the collective regime of peace and love (that is, communal BYO where everything is shared around... like most parties, really). If we has a PC hooked up in the living room we could even have Tetris** be played all night.

I might get hold of a fake Stalin moustache and, at the end of the night, put it on, seize all presents for myself and kick everyone out, though I wouldn't want people to get the idea that that's an intrinsic part of Communism as opposed to "Stalin was a dick like that". One friend suggested getting a mannequin and dressing it up as Lenin, requiring people pray to it at random, and that anyone who pikes shall be referred to as Trotsky and spoken of with scorn.

But one person said an appropriate movie should be screened. Here's the question: which one? There are plenty of Cold War movies, but the main thing they have in common is that they're American-made, and portray Communism as being evil and inhuman. I want COMMUNISM GOOD! movies. Any help?

Also, any other ideas for how to make a thematic and fun night?

*I only realised by Birthday was approaching when my mum reminded me. Yes, I would have completely forgotten otherwise.

**Not just because it was Sovjet-made. Clearly it tells the tale of a disillusioned worker struggling to build the Berlin wall, only for it to be torn down before his eyes.

Username17 · Post by **Username17** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:15 am

Enemy at the Gates and Stalingrad are both pro-Soviet movies on the ground that the villains are Nazis and it is on the Eastern Front. You might also want to get your hands on some Krtek cartoons - it's like the Communist Czechoslovakian Mickey Mouse. Krtek cartoons are done without words so that they can be enjoyed by children in Socialist Republics from Tajikistan to Poland, and they hold up pretty well. Each episode stresses the united struggle of the workers and the value of teamwork and perseverance.

If you really want to go old school, get your hands on Mission to Moscow.

-Username17

ckafrica · Post by **ckafrica** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:30 am

well for some truly Soviet style movies war and peace, The Irony of Fate and White Sun of the Desert are apparently some of the most iconic soviet area movies. War and Peace in the background would be fairly surreal as a 8 hour epic that has battle scenes including 120,000 extras.

Wyzzard · Post by **Wyzzard** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:10 am

Soviet cinema has a lot to offer. But if you see only one flick, see Battleship Potemkin.

Othewise, there's soviet sci-fi like Solaris (the original, not the cheap american knock-off

) and Aelita (Flash Gordon if Flash was a communist; also, it's a silent movie).

Josh_Kablack · Post by **Josh_Kablack** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 1:31 pm

Solaris really isn't communist at all. Sure, Stanilaw Lem was writing under the soviet regime, but that's about as relevant as Clive Barker writing under Reagan-era capitalism.

Off the top of my head:

You'll want some Sergei Prokovief music and probably the Alexander Nevsky movie he scored - both are awesome, and both are to some degree actual WW2-era propaganda.

See also Wassily Kandinsky

and Lyudmila Pavlichenko

CatharzGodfoot · Post by **CatharzGodfoot** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 3:15 pm

Since people have been talking about Cuba lately, Soy Cuba ('I am Cuba') is Sovjet-made and quite watchable. And on Netflix instant, though that probably doesn't help you at all.

There's also a 4-disc set of "animated soviet propaganda" that looks pretty awesome. Maybe Quickflix has it? The discs are titled American Imperialists, Fascist Barbarians, Capitalist Sharks and Interplanetary Revolution (this one sounds best), and Onward to the Shining Future: Communism and Soviet Toys.

Here is a huge archive of Russian cartoons, both for streaming and download.

Josh_Kablack wrote:Solaris really isn't communist at all. Sure, Stanilaw Lem was writing under the soviet regime, but that's about as relevant as Clive Barker writing under Reagan-era capitalism.

Except Clive Barker didn't lose his honorary membership in the Sovjet Sci Fi writers' guild for being staunchly capitalistic.

Maj · Post by **Maj** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:27 pm

Also, you should have snow cones.

BTW - Happy Birthday.

Ganbare Gincun · Post by **Ganbare Gincun** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 12:14 am

How could you forget Yakov Smirnoff?

Zinegata · Post by **Zinegata** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 12:52 am

FrankTrollman wrote:Enemy at the Gates and Stalingrad are both pro-Soviet movies on the ground that the villains are Nazis and it is on the Eastern Front. You might also want to get your hands on some Krtek cartoons - it's like the Communist Czechoslovakian Mickey Mouse. Krtek cartoons are done without words so that they can be enjoyed by children in Socialist Republics from Tajikistan to Poland, and they hold up pretty well. Each episode stresses the united struggle of the workers and the value of teamwork and perseverance.

If you really want to go old school, get your hands on Mission to Moscow.

-Username17

Enemy at the Gates (wrongly) features Commissars mass-executing retreating Soviet soldiers. Not exactly painting the Soviets in a positive light.

Koumei · Post by **Koumei** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 8:20 am

I ended up renting out War & Peace, given that goes for longer than I intended for the party to run for... and didn't even end up putting it on. That said, we had Communist music (the Tetris theme, with and without the history of the USSR, The International (Chinese, English and Russian), our the Soviet National Anthem (is that treason?) and a few others), and plenty of vodka-based drinks (mostly "lolly water", as I have become a much lighter drinker in recent years).

So a mutant-handful of friends arrived and we had an enjoyable time as Communists. It was good stuff. And I caused jealousy by managing to get a 4-pack of Mudshakes (.9 standard drinks each, chocolate milkshake + vodka. So, "Just like a chocolate milkshake only you get drunk") for a fiver. Given they normally cost that much each, singular.

And my sister scored a heap of free large Twilight cups from her work (legally, the boss gave them to her because they were left over from a special offer), so we wrapped them in red paper for people to drink from... then let them know what was under the paper. So horror was caused.

Anyway, it was good fun. Communism is a party!

Lago PARANOIA · Post by **Lago PARANOIA** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 8:37 am

How the HELL can you have a Communist-themed party and not watch any Star Trek?

Koumei · Post by **Koumei** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 8:59 am

I was not aware that ST was Communist. I only know that it's shit. Seriously, you have no idea how much willpower it has taken to not go into the "What do you guys like about Star Trek?" thread and post "NOTHING".

Lago PARANOIA · Post by **Lago PARANOIA** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:05 am

Why didn't you? A Koumei-rant about Star Trek would've been good for a laugh or three.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:14 am

Glad to hear you had a good time, I wish I could have suggested anything, though when you told your friends what was under the cups' red wrappers, you should have told them the red was standard communist censoring of socially subversive material, or something.

What's lolly-water?

Koumei · Post by **Koumei** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 10:40 am

Lolly water is another name for "girlie drinks". Vodka cruisers and the like. Basically there are three key points:

1. They usually have bright colours, and come in pink and blue and green (to attract the younger crowd, and girls) with the exception of the milk-based ones

2. There is sufficient soft drink or whatever that you usually can't taste the alcohol - with vodka, this is pretty easy. The Rum equivalent (Bundy) is not so successful so you need to like the taste of the booze.

3. The level of alcohol is pretty low, typically ~1 standard drink per bottle or can. So basically, you drink it happily, not gagging over the taste of alcohol/reflexive actions due to drinking straight vodka from the bottle in your younger days.

I guess, imagine Fanta or Lemonade, except after several you're suddenly saying "Hey guys, let's all drive to Mexico! I know someone who can get us there... me!"

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 10:42 am

ah, so stuff like rum and coke, or vodka and sprite, crown and 7up, etc.
Didn't realize there was a term for those.

cthulhu · Post by **cthulhu** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 11:34 am

Yeah - realistically it generally means the vodka based ones that are marketed to women, generally the rum ones slide under the radar on being called 'Lollywater'

Red_Rob · Post by **Red_Rob** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 1:24 pm

Mmmm... Mudshakes. These were everywhere here in England a few years ago, then they kind of died out. I guess the moral outrage over the (perceived) incitement of children to drink alcohol didn't help.

Nothing better than drinking milkshake and getting blasted!

Ganbare Gincun · Post by **Ganbare Gincun** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:12 pm

Congratulations on a successful party!