Kinoglaz (1924)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Dziga Vertov

Writer:

Dziga Vertov (writer)

Release Date:

31 October 1924 (Soviet Union)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

This documentary promoting the joys of life in a Soviet village centers around the activities of the Young Pioneers...

Plot Keywords:

Pioneer

Also Known As:

Kino-Eye - Life Caught Unawares
Kino-Tvali (Soviet Union: Georgian title)

Runtime:

78 min

Country:

Soviet Union

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Silent

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Il mnemonista (2000)

Over-rated, but better than most propaganda pieces

Back in the day, Communists had a lot of trouble with their own people. They did alright in the cities, but in the country, where they wanted to have collectives, they met great opposition. So we have this piece of propaganda to convince the people that collectivism is the best way. The Communists eventually crushed this opposition by murdering thousands, but that, is omitted from this film.

This film is better than the average propaganda film. It makes use of some of the innovative techniques that were developed in American comedies to add interest to the film. Obviously shot on a low budget, it does not have the same production values that were current with American comedies of the same era. Many have praised the film for its "innovation", however, a brief survey of the American comedy films shows that this is not true.

In this age of political correctness, it is fashionable to say that no matter how good a film may be artistically, if it is ethically flawed, then it should be shunned. This film added to and promoted an effort that murdered Millions, and set up a system of communes that didn't work even brought starvation to many. So if you decry films like "The Birth of a Nation" with its heroes, the Klu-Klux-Klan, or "The Triumph of the Will" that showed a Nazi rally as glorious and beautiful, then this is one you should also decry.

It should be noted that the Lenin and Stalin were responsible for murdering millions of their own people. They are at the top of the brutal dictators of all time - no one, not even Hiter comes close. We are talking over 60 Million lives and that is only what can be verified. Vertov is their promoter. I feel he should be held to the same standard as the people who promoted and propagandized for Hitler.

The brutal reality behind this happy little film belies its innocence. It was a tool to promote a vicious, murderous regime, and that is historical fact.