Experiments in the Revival of Organisms: Soviet science propaganda film blandly ignores a horrifying truth
D I Yashin, “Experiments in the Revival of Organisms” (1940) A curious short documentary from
Category: Russian and Soviet Films
Reviews of films from Russia and from the Soviet period (1917 – 1991) including all films made during that time in countries that are now independent.
The Mark of Cain (dir. Alix Lambert): excellent documentary on prisons and prison life in Russia
Alix Lambert, “The Mark of Caïn” (2000) Ostensibly a film about the declining custom of
Vinni Pukh trilogy: cartoons boast strong characterisation, wit, cheek and a distinctive and charming animation style
Fyodor Khitruk, “Vinni Pukh” (1969) / “Vinni Pukh idyot v gosti” (1972) / “Vinni Pukh i
Invention of Love: short film challenges us to rediscover our humanity or allow technology to define us
Andrei Shushkov, “Invention of Love” (2010) Came across this elegant and melancholy film short by
Russian Ark: visual travelogue through art and culture meditating on identity, history and time
Alexander Sokurov, “Russian Ark” (2002) At last a film was made with just one take
Man with a Movie Camera: experimental film documentary with the camera as central character
Dziga Vertov, “Man with a Movie Camera” / “Chelovek s Kino-apparatom” / “Liudyna z Kinoaparatom”
Dead Man’s Letters: post-apocalyptic dystopia is depressive in style and tone but holds out hope for humanity
Konstantin Lopushansky, “Dead Man’s Letters” / “Pisma myortvogo cheloveka” (1986) Depressive in tone but with
The Space Voyage: space adventure propaganda piece for kids is a little subversive
Vasily Zhuravlov, “The Space Voyage” / “Kosmicheskiy reys: Fantasticheskaya Novella” (1936) In the 1930s, the
Aerograd: great visuals of wilderness and flying planes in Soviet war propaganda film
Alexander Dovzhenko, “Aerograd” (1935) It’s a well-made film with stunning shots of wilderness and planes flying
The Sky Calls: visually striking film that’s low on excitement and high on propaganda with a surprise twist
Mikhail Karyukhov and Alexander Kozyr, “The Sky Calls” / “Nebo Zovyot” (1959) A visually stunning