Depardieu, Instagram and Ramzan Kadyrov’s ‘adorable side’
... symbolically adopts the culture and standards of masculinity of the Chechen ‘Other’and so becomes a figure of ridicule himself. When accompanied by a video of Depardieu and Kadyrov’s ‘dad dancing’ to traditional Chechen music, Depardieu’s transformationis complete. In many ways, the UK media’s approach to Kadyrov’s exploits can be compared to the way in which Vladimir Putin’s many media stunts are portrayed; with a mixture of incredulity that a national leader is taking part in judo competitions and shirtless horseback riding, and feelings of superiority over this irrational and aggressive way in which ‘Eastern’ ...