Matvey I. Romashin

Senior Lecturer

Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University

(Tula, Russia)

Postgraduate Student

St. Petersburg State University

(Saint-Petersburg, Russia)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22405/2712-8407-2024-1-112-121

Abstract. The article identifies, analyzes, and describes the main methodological approaches to the problem of historical knowledge visualizing. The following research questions are formulated: whether visuals can be a form of presentation of historical knowledge rather than text? whether the affective can be a means of scientific knowledge of the past rather than the cognitive? whether live action films can be a historical source? On the basis of comparison and theoretical understanding of texts by researchers from different fields of science (historians, cultural specialists, film scholars), the author identifies an interdisciplinary discussion field. The researchers’ opinions are presented in a combination of chronological and thematic principles with methodological variability. The article considers the ideas of Mark Ferro, Pierre Sorlin, Robert Rosenstone, David Herlihy, Hayden White and other historical theorists. As conclusions, the author notes that the question of the legitimacy of the visual form to present historical knowledge has existed since the 1970s. By now, most researchers have answered it positively. Historical cognition in a visual format always operates not only with cognitive, but also with affective strategies; it addresses both the intellectual and emotional spheres of the individual. In this context, live action films can be a historical source along with documentaries. However, unlike chronicles, live action films record not so much facts as opinions about them. In this sense, they are undoubtedly documents of the era, but their reading and interpretation requires specific skills from a professional at the intersection of historical criticism and visual studies.
Keywords: methodology of history, live action film, fiction film, historical source, historical knowledge.

Full text of the article (PDF)

For citation: Romashin, MI 2024, ‘Live Action Film as History: Basic Methodological Approaches’, Tula Scientific Bulletin. History. Linguistics, issue 1 (17), pp. 112–121, http://doi.org/10.22405/2712-8407-2024-1-112-121 (in Russ.)

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