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Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky was prophetic but only because, in this case, history was likely to repeat itself. I don't think it demonstrated any kind of superiority within Soviet Socialist Realism which was just as bound up with ideas of 'self immolation' as the Nazi's Wagnerian romanticism. Socialist Realism was a genre which promoted 'reality' only insofar as it corresponded with and ultimately promoted official Soviet policy and, as such, was just as likely to pervert a reality to suit the demands of the party as Nazi art was designed to portray a 'reality' laid out by the Nazis. Both were ultimately conservative reactions against earlier avant-garde tendencies within their respective countries (Expressionism in Germany and Constructivism in the SU). Although both genres now enjoy a certain kitsch status, neither produced any really credible art and are generally seen as betrayals of the once vital and progressive art being produced within Germany and the SU. Eisenstein was basically forced to make Alexander Nevsky after Stalin made him officially apologise for the 'mistakes' of his earlier films like Battleship Potemkin, October and Strike.
I'd be really interested to read Svenonius' account of Soviet Socialist Realism, especially if he's trying to give it some credit.
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