“Scenes in the Soviet Russia. Summer of 1930”: Frank Fetter`s Film about His Soviet Trip in 1930

The article presents results of studying the amateur film “Scenes in Soviet Russia. Summer 1930” by American economist Frank Whitson Fetter (1899–1991) filmed Union summer 1930. Firstly, it reviews historiography cinema and notes methods used research on Fetter's film. section “Context creation” reconstructs conditions filming movie USSR circumstances its currency. came to country with intention becoming expert economics. He well prepared: he had a Leica camera, 16 mm Bell & Howell large supply films. spent six days Moscow weeks Kazan, voyaged Volga Caspian Sea, visited Caucasus, then returned for three went back United States. During his trip, took about 300 photographs made 40-minute movie. While have already been introduced into scientific use, remains unknown scholars wide audience. “Movie content aesthetics” considers plot techniques elements. consists parts: stay Moscow, visit Autonomous Tatar Republic (ATSSR), cruise Sea. starting point analysis was Pierre Bourdieu's photography. According conclusions, each group people chooses certain range objects, genres, compositions shooting, thus, image is socially constructed. cinematic area determined interests experience. His draft confirm that focus during economic sphere. aesthetics direct viewer's eye these plots. observing everyday life, captured urban rural transport infrastructure, trade relations, purchase sale process goods, queues. When visiting countryside, observed harvest various stages process. focuses production material base individual collective farms, organization peasants work, residential farm buildings, details life. Volga-Caspian voyage permitted capture state water transport, passenger goods transportation. devoted particular attention propaganda materials. Thus, represents professional highlights socio-economic situation New Economic Policy dismantlement transition forced industrialization collectivization.