John MacKay

John MacKay is a Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures and Film Studies at Yale University, serving as Director of Graduate Studies. He holds a BA in English from the University of British Columbia (1987) and a PhD in Comparative Literature from Yale (1998). His research focuses on Soviet and Russian film, Marxist theory, and comparative media concepts. Notable works include DZIGA VERTOV: LIFE AND WORK and TRUE SONGS OF FREEDOM: UNCLE TOM'S CABIN IN RUSSIAN CULTURE AND SOCIETY.

Research interests span documentary/experimental film, early Soviet culture, and cross-linguistic film studies. Recent publications analyze films like INTERSTELLAR as digital allegories and Russian cinema's post-Soviet context. He teaches courses on Russian culture, film theory, and comparative literature.