Chastushka

'Chastushki' is a household word in Russia. It is a collective term for Russian miniature story-telling, a widespread folkloric genre that bloomed only in the twentieth century.
The board of censors has not been able to restrict the 'Chastushki'; the genre still lives on among large sections of the population. The stories are invented by anonymous authors. Their talent has not so much a literary character, but rather reflects the experiences and thoughts of the Russian people.
This film examines this popular form of oral narration and gains access to beautiful, uncensored stories. These stories dramatize some abuses in Russia. Artists like Nikita Michalkov, the accordionist Michajl Vilosov, and the poets Viktor Bokov and Nikolay Starshinov are the speakers.
The film reveals social and moral problems in the development of Soviet society. TSJASTOESJKA XX VER is an optimistic film about the creativity of a nation that is capable-in some cases-to overcome the threat of censorship.