Russian Ice Dance about the Holocaust

[AgnesNitt]

Let's just say, culturally the Russians don't see the world the same way Americans do. And the fact that 17-38  Million Russians died in WWII, may make their attitude towards the Holocaust ..... no I just give it up. I can't explain it at all.

http://www.vulture.com/2016/11/russian-tv-show-airs-holocaust-skate-duet.html

[riley876]

Regardless of whatever sociopolitical connotations it has,  I did enjoy the skating.   From reading that article, the guy isn't even a competitive skater?  Though clearly he's not too shabby.

[icedancer]

Yeah, weird theme - can't say I understand it totally... music from "Life is Beautiful" and trying to take that cheerful tone...

And yeah, the guy is a good skater for an "amateur" - much better skating than we've seen on the American version of that show some years ago. Where I believe the athlete formerly known as Bruce Jenner won... another conundrum...

Odd times.

[rachelplotkin]

Bizarre and in the worst possible taste. At least they drew the line at tattooing numbers onto themselves. Small consolation.

[ls99]

As one born educaated and grown up in central europe, the persppective is very different, and as Agnes noted the Russians hving born the brunt of losses in lives do see it different. I watched the performance several times, and even though my understanding of russian language is now limited, having been required to learb it in elemantary school from 4 th grade on, it does represent the the Russian view.  Clearly Americans see it different.   I do see their point, even if my country was occupied by the Russkies from 1945 to the mid seventies.

Inxidentally in the program, in the end they are both shot.
They made the best of the their brief ability to have fun in spite of the regime.

[ls99]

As one born educaated and grown up in central europe, the persppective is very different, and as Agnes noted the Russians having born the brunt of losses in lives do see it different.  The American version of how Hitler was defeated is highly skewed, bears some resemblance to the actual war effort.

I watched the performance several times, and even though my understanding of Russian language is now 60 years on is limited, having been required to learn it in elemantary school from 4 th grade on, it does represent the the Russian view.  Clearly Americans see it different.   I do see their point, even if my country was occupied by the Russkies from 1945 to the mid seventies.

Inxidentally in the program, in the end they are both shot.
They made the best of the their brief ability to have fun in spite of the regime.

Sorry for doubling and English errors, it is not my native language. Mods if you may delete the previous .

[icedancer]

I'm not sure if everyone gets the context of this piece - it is based on a 1997 movie that was about a man and his family that live (and die) in a concentration camp - and his ability to make everything fun, no matter what - very poignant -

Also yes, the sensibilty of a Russian or European audience is different from the American viewpoint.  Taken out of context this piece seems harsh and doesn't make sense - makes light of a difficult situation-

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118799/