Ro'dina (Video) - by Nadezhda Titova (Russia)
Video, 6 mins 14 seconds.
Nadezhda : "Ro'dina is the Russian word for homeland that also has broader meanings associated with national pride, responsibility toward one’s country, shared history and culture, kinship, and a bond with one’s ancestors.
I have always associated Russia with my family, childhood, memories, and identity rather than its government. Yet, despite my best efforts, the government and its politics tend to seep into my private life and home.
Rodina is about my attempt to reconcile the fact that my family—who I love dearly - supports a system that I detest. The photos and video shown depict my family members and their everyday surroundings, situating them in their Russian context. It’s a project about my affection and love toward my closest relatives, in the minds of whom the country, its government, and family are closely interwoven; and my frustration that criticism toward the government is taken by them as a form of betrayal.
When I criticize the regime, it is taken personally - as if I were criticizing my family members too. Because of this, I find myself in a state of emotional dichotomy. Unable to separate politics from our relationship, I am split between my convictions and my family."
Nadezhda : "Ro'dina is the Russian word for homeland that also has broader meanings associated with national pride, responsibility toward one’s country, shared history and culture, kinship, and a bond with one’s ancestors.
I have always associated Russia with my family, childhood, memories, and identity rather than its government. Yet, despite my best efforts, the government and its politics tend to seep into my private life and home.
Rodina is about my attempt to reconcile the fact that my family—who I love dearly - supports a system that I detest. The photos and video shown depict my family members and their everyday surroundings, situating them in their Russian context. It’s a project about my affection and love toward my closest relatives, in the minds of whom the country, its government, and family are closely interwoven; and my frustration that criticism toward the government is taken by them as a form of betrayal.
When I criticize the regime, it is taken personally - as if I were criticizing my family members too. Because of this, I find myself in a state of emotional dichotomy. Unable to separate politics from our relationship, I am split between my convictions and my family."
