Watch Cold War Roadshow

Cold War Roadshow is a documentary film that explores a little-known part of American history, the cultural exchange programs between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The film, directed by Shari Robertson and Michael Camerini, interweaves archival footage with interviews of key players involved in these programs to offer a fascinating look at how the US government used art and culture to promote American values abroad and engage in diplomacy.

The film begins with a brief historical overview of the Cold War and the ideological battle between communism and capitalism. It then focuses on the cultural exchange programs that were initiated in the late 1950s as a way to promote understanding and goodwill between the two superpowers. These programs brought American artists and performers, such as the New York Philharmonic, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Duke Ellington, to the Soviet Union to showcase American culture. In return, the Soviet Union sent its own artists and performers, including the Bolshoi Ballet and the Moiseyev Dance Company, to the US.

The documentary charts the progress of these programs over the course of several decades, from the initial enthusiasm for cultural diplomacy to the more cautious and contentious approach in the 1980s. Along the way, it highlights some of the key moments and performances that helped shape public perception in both countries. For example, the film explores the famous 1958 tour of the Soviet Union by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Leonard Bernstein, which was hailed as a triumph of cultural diplomacy. It also looks at the reaction to Soviet pianist Vladimir Horowitz's return to the US in 1986 after a 61-year absence, which was seen as a symbolic victory for American values.

One of the strengths of Cold War Roadshow is its use of personal stories to bring the history alive. The film includes interviews with a range of people who were involved in the exchange programs, from the musicians and dancers themselves to the diplomats and cultural bureaucrats who made the programs possible. These interviewees offer insights into the challenges and rewards of cultural diplomacy, as well as the impact that these programs had on their own lives and careers. For example, the film features interviews with members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater who recount their experiences touring the Soviet Union in the 1960s and the profound effect it had on them as artists and individuals.

The documentary also delves into the political and ideological tensions that underpinned the cultural exchange programs. As the Cold War intensified, the US government became increasingly concerned about the potential for Soviet propaganda to infiltrate American society through these programs. There were also concerns about the authenticity of the Soviet performers, who were often assumed to be under the control of the Soviet government. The film uses archival footage and interviews to show how these tensions played out, and how the cultural exchange programs became a battleground for competing ideologies.

Overall, Cold War Roadshow is a fascinating and informative documentary that sheds light on a little-known aspect of Cold War history. While the film occasionally veers into nostalgia or sentimentality, it is mostly a nuanced and engaging exploration of the complex relationship between culture, politics, and diplomacy. The film is particularly successful in offering a human perspective on the exchange programs, highlighting the personal connections and experiences that gave them meaning beyond the geopolitical tensions of the time.

Cold War Roadshow is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 52 minutes.