The character of "patsan" as an image of masculine features in Russian cinema: characteristics and reasons of relevance

The movie "Patsany" by Dinara Asanova came out in 1983. By giving such a name for her movie, director conceptualized a certain age and social group of USSR young people. The young adults who were involved in criminal and were members of the street gangs became "patsans" in the movies of 1990s and early 2000s. Some of those movies became iconic. The movie characters were made of traditional manhood characteristics, national and patriotic ideas and they formed one of few images of "man" in Russian media landscape. At a later stage, the images of the cinematic "patsans" and their attitudes influenced the development of the Russian movies about the "patsans" and conception of "masculine" in Russian culture. The "patsan" is a member of a subculture that came from the USSR and still exists today. As the members of the subculture, the «patsan's characters" represent masculine features. Russian cinema has formed and fixed the "patsan's" image. "Patsan's cinema" presents two images of the "patsan" to the audience. The first one is inclined to a masculine hero, a ringleader of a criminal group, a lone ranger. Second image is inclined to a more humorous character of a young man who is similar to a stereotypical image of a "gopnik". First is a masculine character who has pronounced aggressive masculine features; second is a young man or an adolescent who needs a masculine role model. The fact that the interest in the cinema "patsan" still exists is justified by the number of reasons. First of all, "patsan's" movie characters embody the traditional masculine ideology which is demanded in Russia. Secondly, the "patsan's" movie character is traditional for the Russian culture; he reproduces one of the "masculine" archetypes. Thirdly, the nostalgia and the romanticization which is inherent to it play a significant role in reactualization of the "patsan's" image. Fourthly, the more heated is a conflict - the more relevant the "patsans" are for their time. In the 1990s, the "patsan" with his masculine and commanding attitudes was necessary as a particular male character looking for his place in the world that is unhinged. As the need in such hero no longer exists after 2000s, he loses his relevance. Nevertheless, the social and economic problems still exist so the character does not disappear but transforms, acquiring the features which are inherent to his time. The phenomenon of the "patsan" not only was represented in Russian cinema but created a certain type of a "man" who is able to quick and effective dealing with challenges. The character is still relevant due to his traditional masculine model, orientation towards the patriarchy and positioning of a man in forceful and patriotic context.

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