Author · Scholar · Advocate
Igor
Kokarev
Born in Odessa in 1940, a witness to six eras of Russian history — from Stalin's USSR to Putin's Russia. Sociologist, film critic, and author of In the Ruins of an Empire.
About
Igor Kokarev — Santa Monica, California
A Life Lived Across
Six Eras of History
Igor Kokarev was born in Odessa (now Ukraine) in 1940. He graduated from the Odessa Maritime Academy and sailed as a marine engineer before working in the Komsomol and participating in construction projects in Kazakhstan. He later studied at VGIK (Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography), completed graduate school at the Academy of Social Sciences, and earned his Ph.D. from the Academy of Social Science in Moscow.
In the span of just one generation, Igor witnessed Russia undergo six distinct phases of its history: from Stalin's USSR to Khrushchev's Thaw, Brezhnev's stagnation, Gorbachev's perestroika, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the transition into Putin's regime. His journey from a devoted Soviet citizen to an active liberal democrat labeled a "foreign agent" is a remarkable narrative intertwined with the nation's history.
In 2008, Igor emigrated to the United States, receiving a special green card for those with "outstanding merit," and soon became a US citizen. He has lived in California ever since, teaching "Soviet Civilization: From Lenin to Putin" as an Adjunct Professor at Chapman University and serving as an Advisory Board Member for the Asian World Film Festival.
1940
Born in Odessa
20+
Books Published
2008
Emigrated to USA
Life Story
A Journey Through
Six Eras of Russia
Stalin's Era
1940
Born in Odessa
Born in what is now Ukraine, Igor Kokarev grew up during the final years of Stalin's USSR.
Khrushchev's Thaw
1960s
Maritime Academy & VGIK
Graduated from Odessa Maritime Academy, sailed as a marine engineer, then studied film at VGIK — the prestigious Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography in Moscow.
Brezhnev's Stagnation
1969
Academic Career Begins
Began teaching at VGIK, publishing books on sociology of cinema and American-Soviet film relations. Worked at the Institute of USA and Canada.
Gorbachev's Perestroika
1987
Perestroika Activist
Co-founded the American-Soviet Canonization (ASC) with Elem Klimov. Became one of the initiators of reforms in the Union of Cinematographers.
Post-Soviet Russia
1994
Civil Society Leader
Co-founded the National Fund with Vladimir Pozner, the first center for community organizing. Won grants from USAID, Ford Foundation, and Mott Foundation to teach democratic principles.
Putin's Russia
2005
First Book Published
Published 'Confession of a Foreign Agent' in Russian — a book about his efforts to teach democracy in post-Soviet Russia. Presented a copy to US Ambassador Alexander Vershbow.
A New Chapter
2008
Emigration to the USA
Emigrated to the United States, awarded a special green card for those with 'outstanding merit.' Settled in Santa Monica, California.
California Years
2014
Asian World Film Festival
Joined the Asian World Film Festival as Advisory Board Member & Russia Relations expert, bringing decades of expertise in Soviet and American cinema.
Literary Legacy
2024
In the Ruins of an Empire
Published his landmark memoir in English — a sweeping account of Russia's six historical phases through the lens of one extraordinary life.
Books
Latest Book · 2024
In the Ruins of an Empire
We Who Could Make Russia Great Were Trampled into the Ground Again
"It is very difficult for a person brought up in the Western world to understand what life was like in the Soviet Union during the Communist regime and immediately after its collapse. Professor Kokarev's book explains and illustrates this life based on his own experience. This is of great value."
— Professor Richard Pipes, Harvard University
In the span of just one generation, Russia underwent six distinct phases of its history: the harrowing conflict between Stalin's fascist USSR and Hitler's fascism, the brief period of Khrushchev's Thaw, the era of Brezhnev's stagnation, Gorbachev's democratic perestroika culminating in the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the post-Soviet Russia transitioning into Putin's fascist dictatorship. Through the life of Igor Kokarev, we witness how his inner world evolved alongside these changing eras.
Previous Book · 2005 (Russian) / 2017 (English)
Confession of a "Foreign Agent"
Igor's account of his efforts to teach democracy in post-Soviet Russia, his work with USAID, the Ford Foundation, and the Mott Foundation, and how he came to be labeled a "Foreign Agent" by Putin's government. The first edition was published in Russian in 2005; the English edition was endorsed by Harvard Professor Richard Pipes.
Igor Kokarev has published over 20 books in Russia on sociology of cinema, democracy, community development, and civil society — plus numerous articles on American and Soviet cinematography and political reality.
"The best and the brightest have mostly left Russia because of Vladimir Putin's decision to take the country back to a Soviet-style dictatorship. I am in very good company. We who could make Russia great were trampled into the ground again."
Igor Kokarev
Experience & Education
A Career Spanning
Two Continents
Professional Experience
Asian World Film Festival
2014 — PresentAdvisory Board Member & Russia Relations · Los Angeles, California
Scholar and expert on Soviet and American film industry, serving as political and civic activist on the board of one of LA's premier film festivals.
Chapman University
2008 — 2016Adjunct Professor · Orange, California
Taught 'Soviet Civilization: From Lenin to Putin' — bringing firsthand experience of Soviet life and the democratic transition to American students.
Community Partners Inc.
2008 — 2012Senior Community Development Fellow · Los Angeles, California
Applied over 20 years of community organizing experience from Russia to support civil society development in the United States.
Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation
1991 — 2000Chief Editor, SK-News Weekly · Moscow, Russia
Led the weekly newspaper of the Union of Cinematographers during the turbulent post-Soviet transition period.
VGIK — Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography
1969 — 1992Associate Professor · Moscow, Russia
Taught for over two decades at Russia's premier film school, publishing numerous articles and books on American and Soviet cinematography.
Institute of USA and Canada (Academy of Sciences of the USSR)
1980sSenior Researcher · Moscow, Russia
Conducted research on American-Soviet cultural relations, film exchanges, and political dynamics during the Cold War era.
Education
Academy of Social Sciences, Moscow
Ph.D. — Political Science & Sociology
1970s
VGIK — Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography
Graduate Studies — Film Studies & Sociology of Cinema
1960s
Odessa Maritime Academy (OVИМУ)
Marine Engineering
Late 1950s
Highlights
20+ books published in Russia
Grants from USAID, Ford & Mott Foundations
Trained 2,000+ community activists across Russia
Endorsed by Harvard Prof. Richard Pipes
US Citizen with Outstanding Merit Green Card
Deputy of Lenin Regional Council, Moscow (1989–1991)
Connect
Stay in Touch
Find Me Online
Support the Work
GoFundMe Campaign
Help Publish Confession of a Foreign Agent
Igor is seeking support to self-publish the English edition of his memoir "Confession of a Foreign Agent." This book will help Western readers understand the realities of life in the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia, and why democratic reformers were silenced under Putin's regime.
Support on GoFundMeSanta Monica, California
United States of America