VIRA KHOLODNA AS A PHENOMENON OF THE CULTURAL IDENTITY OF UKRAINIAN CINEMA

Abstract

The article examines in detail the creative path of Vira Kholodna as a phenomenon of the cultural identity of Ukrainian silent cinema. Her personality became not only a symbol of the era, but also an important factor in the formation of the institution of film stars in the early twentieth century. Vira Kholodna, known as the “Queen of the Screen”, gained popularity in a short period of time that went far beyond the film industry, turning her into a style icon, cultural symbol, and social phenomenon. The paper focuses on Kholodna’s influence on the development of cinema, especially in the context of her collaboration with prominent directors Evgeny Bauer and Pyotr Chardynin. This collaboration shaped Kholodna’s unique acting style, which was based on a combination of emotional expressiveness, minimalist means and the ability to convey deep psychological states without words, which was characteristic of the silent film aesthetic. Her roles were particularly tender, dramatic and deep, which evoked a strong emotional response from the audience. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the socio-cultural context in which the actress’s work was formed. Vera Kholodna’s life reflects a complex period of transformation in society – from the heyday of the cultural life of the Russian Empire to the revolutionary changes and events of the Civil War. Her cinematic career unfolded against the backdrop of these dramatic historical processes, which was reflected in the choice of roles and the plots of her films, where the themes of love, loss, and the tragedy of human fate prevailed. The phenomenon of mythologising the image of Vira Kholodna after her tragic and premature death at the age of 25 is also considered. The mysterious circumstances of her death during the Spanish flu epidemic contributed to the creation of numerous legends, which only increased her popularity and consolidated her status as an ‘eternal star’ of silent cinema. After the actress’s death, her cult spread not only in Ukraine and Russia, but also abroad, where her films continued to be screened and her image continued to inspire artists, poets, and filmmakers. The article also explores the question of Kholodnaya’s influence on the formation of Ukrainian cultural identity. Despite the fact that her work was connected to Russian cinema, she remains an important figure in the history of Ukrainian culture, in particular because of her roots, filming in Ukraine, and her participation in films that reflected Ukrainian realities. Her work helped to promote Ukrainian cinema internationally, and her name has become an integral part of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. In conclusion, it is emphasised that Vira Kholodna was not just an actress – she became a cultural phenomenon, a symbol of an entire generation, a style icon and an embodiment of female sensuality and tragedy. Her work is still a source of inspiration for film scholars, cultural historians and artists of all kinds. Thanks to her contribution, silent cinema acquired new artistic forms, and film stars became important figures in the cultural space of the twentieth century.