Stride, Soviet! (The Moscow Soviet in the Present, Past, and Future) (U.S.S.R., 1926)

Directed by Dziga Vertov

Commissioned to make an election-year campaign film for the sitting Mossovet (Moscow Municipal Soviet), Vertov failed to include any images of Mossovet officials or any evidence of their achievements. Instead, he put his 1922 manifesto “WE” into practice. Automobiles, engines, factory tools are literally brought to life—“the hearts of the machines are beating”—and operate in perfect synchronicity toward the advancement of the New Russia.

Cinematography: Ivan Beliakov

35mm, b/w, silent w/ Russian intertitles and live English translation, 20 fps, 65 mins.

Musical accompaniment provided by Robert Israel.