Alexander Markov

TV director Pavel Prishvin is filming with his friend-filmmaker, whose film talks about Stalinism

1960. The USSR starts humanitarian aid programs based on Marxist ideology in several newly independent African countries. For more than 35 years the Soviets expand their influence in Africa. Soviet filmmakers are sent along to document the glorious advance of socialism on the entire continent. After the fall of the Soviet empire Russia lost political interest in Africa, but thousands of kilometers of footage shot on African soil remain. With the help of filmmakers from back then, OUR AFRICA will recreate the time of the “Great Utopia” and expose the mechanisms behind the creation of propaganda films.

In the 60s, Vadim, a Soviet engineer, is in love with Vera, a researcher in biology. But their romance is suddenly disrupted by a mission entrusted to Vadim: sent to Egypt, he must participate in one of the great utopian ventures initiated by the USSR. Based on unpublished archives, this film is inspired by a true story.

Red Africa relates the history of the influence exerted by the USSR over many African states between 1960 and 1990, working from extraordinary archival footage filmed by Soviet operators. The subtle editing of restored images reveals the hidden agenda of the USSR which, under the cloak of generosity, was aspiring to expand its socialist “paradise”.