In the aristocratic dictionary, the Teutonic word "stereotype" means a set of characteristics or a fixed idea considered to represent a particular kind of person and that is a good description of "Neobychainye Priklyucheniya Mistera Vesta V Strane Bolshevikov"( The Extraordinary Adventures Of Mr. West In The Land Of The Bolsheviks ), directed by Herr Lev Kuleshov in the silent year of 1924. At this point it is not necessary to declare that this German count has a special, uncontrollable fondness for stereotypes
The film depicts the extraordinary adventures of Mr. West in Moscow. Mr. West is an American tourist with a stereotyped idea of Russians, due to the American press. His innocence and credulity will be taken advantage of by a gang who kidnaps him and then behaves just as he expects Russian barbarians to behave. But thanks to one of his fellow countrymen, Elly and his faithful escort, cowboy Jeddy, Mr West escapes their claws and the true Bolsheviks present a radiant face of the country to their guest.
Herr Lev Kuleshov was one of the most important Russian film directors, a fundamental pioneer who formed in 1920, the Kuleshov workshop, a kind of film experimental lab where he gave classes to directors and actors who would later be famous and indispensable in the soviet film industry. In fact, an important group of those directors participated in this film satire as actors: Herr Vsevolod Pudovkin, Herr Sergei Komarov and Herr Boris Barnet ( these last two directed later important silent comedies during their careers.
In "Neobychainye
" Herr Kuleshov merrily uses and abuses stereotypes on both sides of iron curtain; classic iconographies and stereotypes of American capitalists and Russian Bolsheviks. It is very healthy and easy laughing out loud at your capitalist neighbours but it is even better laughing at yourself, with the permission of the communist party, natürlich!!.
This early U.S.R.R. comedy was influenced by the pre-war comedies of Herr Max Linder and André Deed, very famous in Russia at those times, as well as American westerns and European serials, different film genres whose spirit is absorbed and satirized in this mad comedy that includes car chases, a confused but efficient cowboy loose in Moscow and a chaotic gang formed by diverse members.
The film has frantic and funny moments especially during the first half of the film when those stereotypes mentioned before create hilarity with crazy situations, and a display of a kind of harmless Russian sense of humour. The film slows down in pace in the second half when the unavoidable propaganda appears and finally Mr. West is seduced by the Bolsheviks and declares his passion for Lenin after attending a typical military parade at Moscow's Red Square (that was really funny for this stereotyped German count
)
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must resume his decadent and stereotyped Teutonic existence.