New faculty Q&A: Maria Belodubrovskaya (Communication Arts)

November 16th 2012 Simon Kuran
Arts & Humanities
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Maria Belodubrovskaya, Assistant Professor of Film

For Maria Belodubrovskaya, “politically incorrect” means something a little different than Bill Maher speaking his mind. Belodubrovskaya, who hails from Russia, studies giant miscalculations in communication strategy at the highest level of Soviet government. Her current project, "Politically Incorrect: Filmmaking under Stalin and the Failure of Power," examines the Soviet Union’s failed attempt to use cinema as a “mighty weapon of mass propaganda.”

Belodubrovskaya’s research interests include media history, theories of film and ideology, film and propaganda, genre theory, screenwriting studies, silent film performance, cognitive approaches to film spectatorship, and film stylistics.

Welcome, Maria! Tell us about your work and why you’re excited to be at UW-Madison.
I study Soviet film under Stalin. I’m excited to join the faculty of one of the finest film-studies programs in the country. This is a great place to study the art, industry, and culture of film and filmmaking through history.

What resources are you particularly excited to use?
The Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research, which has the largest collection of Soviet films outside of Russia.

What should your students expect in your classroom?
They should expect to watch lots of films — and learn to understand why they want to watch more.

What’s the best thing you have done in Madison so far?
Biked the Capital City Trail.

Your favorite part of campus?
The Wisconsin Historical Society.

Any campus events you’re particularly excited to attend?
The UW Cinematheque, which screens rare films with love. It’s a must for any film buff.