Kino-Pravda No. 18: A Movie-Camera Race Over 299 Metres and 14 Minutes and 50 Seconds in the Direction of Soviet Reality 1924
Soviet cinema pioneer Dziga Vertov's *Kino-Pravda No. 18: A Movie-Camera Race Over 299 Metres and 14 Minutes and 50 Seconds in the Direction of Soviet Reality* (1924) is a daring experiment in documentary filmmaking, blending newsreel urgency with avant-garde visual storytelling.
Director: Dziga Vertov
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *Kino-Pravda No. 18: A Movie-Camera Race Over 299 Metres and 14 Minutes and 50 Seconds in the Direction of Soviet Reality* (1924) about?
This experimental Soviet documentary captures a whirlwind journey through 1920s Europe and Russia, featuring a high-octane auto race, iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, and intimate glimpses of daily Soviet life. Vertov's film contrasts urban dynamism with rural tradition, all while celebrating communal values in a rapidly transforming society.
Who directed *Kino-Pravda No. 18: A Movie-Camera Race Over 299 Metres and 14 Minutes and 50 Seconds in the Direction of Soviet Reality*?
Dziga Vertov, the visionary Soviet filmmaker and pioneer of documentary cinema, directed this groundbreaking short film.
Who stars in *Kino-Pravda No. 18: A Movie-Camera Race Over 299 Metres and 14 Minutes and 50 Seconds in the Direction of Soviet Reality*?
The film prominently features Mikhail Kalinin, a key Soviet political figure, alongside unnamed workers, peasants, and athletes whose real-life activities shape the documentary's narrative.
Is *Kino-Pravda No. 18: A Movie-Camera Race Over 299 Metres and 14 Minutes and 50 Seconds in the Direction of Soviet Reality* (1924) worth watching?
For fans of avant-garde cinema and early Soviet history, this 14-minute short is a must-see. Vertov's innovative techniques and historical significance make it a fascinating artifact, even if its unrated status and experimental style may not appeal to all modern audiences.
How long is *Kino-Pravda No. 18: A Movie-Camera Race Over 299 Metres and 14 Minutes and 50 Seconds in the Direction of Soviet Reality*?
The film runs for 14 minutes.
About Kino-Pravda No. 18 (1924): A 14-Minute Cinematic Revolution in Soviet Documentary
Soviet cinema pioneer Dziga Vertov's *Kino-Pravda No. 18: A Movie-Camera Race Over 299 Metres and 14 Minutes and 50 Seconds in the Direction of Soviet Reality* (1924) is a daring experiment in documentary filmmaking, blending newsreel urgency with avant-garde visual storytelling. Shot in just over 14 minutes, this experimental documentary races through Paris's Eiffel Tower, the bustling streets of Moscow, and the high-speed drama of an auto race from Petrograd to Moscow. Vertov's lens captures the raw energy of early Soviet life, from a visiting peasant discovering the wonders of the city to a collective celebrating the symbolic induction of a newborn into workers' community ideals. The film's kinetic editing and dynamic perspectives mirror the relentless pace of progress, offering a window into the ideological and cultural fervor of post-revolutionary Russia.
Framed as a 'movie-camera race,' this short documentary defies conventions, turning everyday scenes into a poetic manifesto of Soviet ambition. Vertov's radical approach—rooted in documentary realism yet infused with artistic flair—transforms mundane moments into cinematic poetry, making it a landmark in the evolution of non-fiction filmmaking. The mood is electric, oscillating between the grandeur of urban modernity and the intimacy of communal rituals, all united by the unifying theme of forward motion.