Cinema as a Subject of Sociological Reflection: Analysis of Scientific Publications

This review article is based on the question of the importance of the sociology of cinema as a separate direction in sociological science. In this regard, the article analyses publications devoted to cinema in leading sociological journals from 1976 to the present. The purpose of the study is to identify the sociological interpretation of the transformation of Russian cinema in retrospect, as well as the main trends in the development of Russian sociology of cinema. During the analysis, scientific publications were systematised by year and research areas, which made it possible to more clearly define the current problems of film studies. Starting from the Soviet period, the film industry was considered by sociologists from the point of view of the interaction "cinema-spectator", as a means of propaganda, representation and solving practical problems. The studies were carried out within the framework of the analysis of film distribution statistics, as well as based on the motives and factors of film selection by viewers. It was recorded that the main emphasis of the authors was on quantitative studies, mainly concerning the topics of cinema attendance, their repertoire and audience demand. Some of the works were based on a comparative analysis with foreign studies, noting the lack of interdisciplinary research in the domestic sociology of cinema. At the same time, both in the Soviet period and later, there were practically no works devoted to regional cinema, including ethnic cinema, the history of which began in the first half of the 20th century.
Currently, scientists note that despite the revival of federal cinema, it still does not meet the needs of society, does not become the kind of art that would shape the national culture. There is a lack of theoretical and methodological analysis of sociological research, especially with the use of qualitative methods, on the importance of cinema for Russian society. Further study of the issues of preserving and understanding cinema as an art seems relevant. It is also necessary to look for answers to the questions of what functions it currently carries and / or should carry, what are the alternatives for sociological research in the context of the development of regional cinema. Disclosing the importance of research in the field of film studies will allow us to put forward new problematic and subject fields of the sociology of cinema in the context of current challenges.

sociology of cinema, sociological research, Soviet film production, art cinema, regional cinematography