The history of Russian cinema began with the experiences of former photojournalists who mastered camera work. The first tape was the picture "Ponizovaya Volnitsa" ("Stenka Razin"), created in 1908. Domestic cinema eventually gained color and “spoke”, in many respects through the efforts of Nikolai Ekk, who shot “A ticket to life” in 1931, and then “Grunya Kornakova” in 1936.
Contemporary Russian documentaries can be seen at film festivals. The “Message to Man” takes place in St. Petersburg, “Flahertiana” - in Perm, “Vertical”, “Laurel Branch”, “Artdocfest”, “Free Thought” - in Moscow. Large news agencies and individual filmmakers are filming a documentary, expressing their views on contemporary issues or individual historical issues.
Milestones in Documentary Films in Russia
In Soviet times, documentaries were an excellent tool in the hands of the leaders of communist propaganda. Films served the state interests, but some talented directors managed to create films that were included in the fund of international documentary cinema. The following works should be noted:
- Mikhail Romm - “Ordinary Fascism”.
- Lev Kuleshov - “Forty Hearts”.
- Roman Carmen - the documentary film "Vietnam", "Cuba Today", "Unknown War", "The Great Patriotic War. Allies ”and so on.
- Konstantin Kereselidze - “Hunting Without a Gun” and a number of paintings about Georgia.
The film period was presented for a long time by the weekly magazine Soviet Cinema, which was edited from the most relevant contemporary events. In the Union republics and certain regions, their own film magazines were released, reminiscent of the modern "News of the Day." Significant film events were dedicated to significant events: "The Shakhty Process", "Gorky's Arrival", "Fifteenth Party Congress", "All-Union Holiday of Physical Education", "Signing of the Soviet-Persian Treaty" and others.
The best Russian documentaries
Modern films of domestic production created in this genre are of interest not only to compatriots. The following Russian documentaries can boast of a high rating in the IMDB database:
- "The last Hero". The piercing story of the legend of Russian rock Viktor Tsoi, who died too early. Director - Alexey Uchitel, KinoPoisk rating - 7.7, IMDB rating - 7.3 (1992).
- “Oleg Tabakov. Igniting the stars. " This is not just a story about the life of a beloved artist, but also about how he helped talented talents build a career (2010).
- "No problems". The film is a novice director Taisiya Reshetnikova. Work in an interview format: several different young people and girls in front of the camera talk about their problems and dreams (2012).
- "Prelude for childhood with an orchestra." The picture was taken by the creative studio "Jumble". Boris Grachevsky and the young director Vasily Korvyakov thought about how to introduce children to high art, and set up an interesting experiment.
- "Musician". Documentary about Denis Matsuev, who at the age of 23 received worldwide fame. Director - Anna Matison (2011).
The list of Russian documentaries is very extensive. Each year, several new works of both talented novice directors and recognized masters appear. Among the relatively new and most resonant ones, it is worth highlighting the documentary “President” (2015) by Vladimir Solovyov. The film tells about the fifteen years of the presidency of Vladimir Putin. And another film - “Crimea. Way to the Homeland ”by Andrei Kondrashov (2015), has caused mixed reactions from the international community.
Russian documentaries about the war
The Patriotic War left bleeding wounds and deep scars that make it possible to forget about the feat of the Soviet people in the fight against the invaders. Russian documentaries on this subject are represented by the following works:
- "On parole and one wing."
- “Berlin on the 21st. The strongest flew. ”
- “Laboratory of death. Japanese Apocalypse. ”
- "The feeling of war."
- “Amet Khan Sultan. Thunderstorm of Messers. ”
- "The red flag over Chisinau."
- "War. The first four hours. "
It is especially interesting to watch old documentaries about the war, as they are much more emotional than modern ones.