Analysis of Anna Melikyan's Film 'The Mermaid' as Contemporary Russian Fairy Tale

In her 2009 examination of Anna Melikyan's 'The Mermaid' (Rusalka), Henrike Schmidt challenges cynical readings, claiming the film ultimately delivers a sincere happy ending where Sasha and Rita are reunited thanks to Alisa's selfless act. The narrative parallels Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Mermaid,' with Alisa serving as the catalyst for emotional change among elite figures. Set against the backdrop of Moscow, it delves into Russian glamour culture, featuring characters like Aleksandr, a PR expert. Schmidt incorporates various academic viewpoints, including Ulrich Schmid's interpretation of glamour as a facade and Vladimir Propp's fairy tale structure. The ARTMargins Online roundtable includes insights from Natascha Drubek-Meyer, Matthias Meindl, Svetlana Sirotinina, Christine Goelz, and Bettina Lange, framing the film as a means of reinforcing social hierarchies.