Chelovek s kino-apparatom [Man with a Move Camera] (1929) [Movie Review]

The film Man with a Movie Camera represents:
AN EXPERIMENTATION IN THE CINEMATIC COMMUNICATION
Of visual phenomena
WITHOUT THE USE OF INTERTITLES
(a film without intertitles)
WITHOUT THE HELP OF A SCENARIO
(a film without a scenario)
WITHOUT THE HELP OF THEATRE
(a film without actors, without sets, etc.)
This new experimentation work by Kino-Eye is directed towards the creation of an authentically international absolute language of cinema – ABSOLUTE KINOGRAPHY – on the basis of its complete separation from the language of theatre and literature.

The filmmaker requested that the warning above be added to the beginning to the film, so the viewers knew what they were getting themselves into. This is a very ambitious project, no actors, no plot, just real life and real problems. This film is rather controversial for those reasons, and might even be illegal in today's world.

But it wasn't back then! The film is more-or-less a documentary on the lives of Russian people at the time of filming (which I assume would be around 1927/1928 - though I don't know for sure). At the same time, it documents the man with the camera, as he films all of these encounters, and even the audience is a part of the movie!

This film is very interesting, to say the least. We see people sleeping on benches, playing volleyball, getting divorces, riding a Ferris wheel. We even see a lady giving birth! That particular scene took me by surprise, definitely was not expecting it. But for a film of this nature, and a film of it's time, the effects are superb.

It may not be the best movie ever made, and it may be boring to watch for some, but I give this film a high recommendation. Though, for me, one viewing will be enough.

Rating: 7/10

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Discussion topic: How would you react to being filmed in public? Would you be mad if that footage later became famous?