Рецензия на книгу: Радаев В. В. 2025. Смотрим кино, понимаем жизнь: 23 социологических очерка. Изд. 3-е, доп. М.: Изд. дом ВШЭ (серия «Соци альная теория»). 464 с

Abstract

The review is dedicated to the book by Vadim Radaev, Doctor of Economics and First Vice-Rector of the HSE University, Watching Movies, Understanding Life, first published in 2023 and republished in 2024 and 2025. This book results from a unique project at HSE University's Faculty of Social Sciences, running for over 20 years. This pioneering experience was among the first of its kind in Russia and has since been adopted by many universities. Despite the fact that the materials of the film seminars are publicly available on the HSE University website, the author compiled brief essays summarizing the course and content of the discussions. The review presents a legal scholar’s perspective on the social issues and challenges reflected in the 23 essays of the book’s third edition. The review does not analyze all essays but focuses on those the author deems relevant to the educational process at HSE University's Faculty of Law. The article examines purely legal issues raised in the films and discussed by sociologists (for example, the role of the jury system in modern society), as well as the applicability of sociological concepts (such as generation theory) to legal science challenges. It demonstrates that many legal categories—such as legal consciousness, legal culture, and legal nihilism—hold great potential for sociological study. The book also discusses the impact of digital technologies on law and society in its three final essays.