The transformation of artistic interpretation of the Great Patriotic War in Russian cinema: from idealization to realistic representation

This article examines the evolution of the artistic interpretation of the Great Patriotic War in cinema. Special attention is given to the transformation of the aesthetics and themes of modern war films, driven by the generational change among filmmakers and audiences. Differences in the portrayal of war compared to the Soviet era are analyzed, including the emphasis on naturalism, the rethinking of the roles of various social groups, and the search for new meanings in the context of national and global issues. Using specific examples, the article demonstrates how directors strive for a deeper understanding of the reasons behind the Soviet people's victory by revealing the human qualities of their characters.