Exporting Raymond

Phil Rosenthal's 2011 documentary follows his trip to Moscow to work on the Russian adaptation of the American series he created. Rosenthal is there as a consultant; but every meeting ends in disagreement, because what comedy rests on is not the same in the two countries. The documentary is at its best in showing cultural difference not as an abstraction but through concrete arguments: the choice of a costume, how rude a character may be in one line, what a family joke corresponds to. Rosenthal makes himself ridiculous too, which saves the tone. Its limit is that the view is entirely American and the Russian side's own reasoning is not heard enough. Who it's for: viewers interested in television production and the question of adaptation across cultures. Who it's not for: anyone wanting a deep cultural analysis, or unfamiliar with the series.