Political Satire as a Tool for Rethinking the Red Scare in American Cinema of the 1960s

The study examines the satirical depiction of the Cold War in American cinema of the 1960s, the goal of which is to identify the features of how the perception of the "red threat" and the image of the USSR in films was transformed and what significance the comedic approach had as a means of ideological reassessment and tension relief in the public discourse of the United States. The materials were films ("The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!", "The President's Analyst", "One, Two, Three", "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb"), as well as scientific research and critical articles by Russian and foreign cultural scientists and film critics. The methodological basis of the study was the historical-systemic method, elements of critical theory, semiotic and art history analysis in combination with hermeneutics. The specific parodic discourse of political satire is analyzed as a key tool for transforming the perception of the "red threat" in cinema. The article characterizes the historical context of the Cold War, the evolution of the image of the USSR and the Soviet character in American cinema of the preceding period (1940-1950s), primarily in propaganda genres. Based on a comparative analysis, the article examines the main satirical techniques (irony, grotesque, absurdity) and parodic strategies used in films of the 1960s. Particular attention is paid to how these techniques are used to deconstruct established stereotypes and clichés about the "red threat". The plot lines of the films are studied in detail. The methods of representing Soviet characters and ideological opponents within the framework of parodic discourse are examined. The author comes to the conclusion that the representation of the "red threat" in US cinema has evolved from the actualization of the fear of communism to a satirical representation of the confrontation between the superpowers and partial criticism of US domestic policy. "The Red Menace" is not shown as a ferocious force, but as a satirical image, in some cases open to cooperation. The creators of the studied films hinted that the main danger to American society did not come from the USSR, but from its own supporters of militarism. The directors presented the Cold War and a number of its elements as an absurd misunderstanding, because of which the citizens of the USSR and the USA suffer. It is proven that satire in cinema has become an effective tool for ideological disarmament and criticism of both foreign policy fears and internal social tensions. A conclusion is made about the significance of satirical cinema as a form of cultural dialogue in the conditions of the Cold War.