Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

In the groundbreaking cinematic experiment that is Man with a Movie Camera, the tireless director Dziga Vertov takes us on an audacious journey through the pulsating heart of the Soviet Union. Utilizing an astonishing array of innovative techniques that include jump cuts, extreme close-ups, double exposures, and a blistering montage, Vertov throws us into the relentless rhythm of ordinary Soviet life. From the opening yawn of dawn to the closing blink of twilight, we are swept along on a whirlwind tour of Moscow, Odessa, and Kiev, experiencing the world through the eyes of the unknown masses. This film plays with the fabric of reality, blurring the boundaries between the observer and the observed. It is as much a documentary of a day in the life of the Soviet populace as it is a meta-commentary on the act of filmmaking itself. We are given glimpses of the intrepid cameraman, seemingly caught in the act of capturing the scenes unfolding before us, yet the footage he appears to be shooting remains tantalizingly out of our reach. In a delightful twist, the film also turns its gaze on the audience, documenting their reactions to the very spectacle they are witnessing. Even the intricate process of editing the film is laid bare, adding another layer of intrigue. Man with a Movie Camera is a brilliantly choreographed dance between reality and illusion, an immersive exploration of the Soviet life and the art of filmmaking. This is a film that doesn't just show, it reveals, challenging the viewer to question the line between the life captured on film and the life lived beyond the lens.

Man with a Movie Camera is a documentary movie featuring Mikhail Kaufman.

Man with a Movie Camera is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and VUDU Free and it's also available on IndieFlix.

It is also possible to buy Man with a Movie Camera on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Kino Now and Vudu.