Chelovek s kino-apparatom (Man with a Movie Camera) (1929)

Here is a documentary in its purest form: A man goes around town literally documenting everything that happens. And so many things happen!

Life

We see people filling out marriage certificates as well as divorce certificates.  We see the preparations of a funeral, and a woman crying near a grave. At the same time, we see a baby's coming into the world. I love babies! The scenes are edited neatly to show us all of this happening at the same time.  We see that all stages of life happen all the time, even in a small town or city.  Somewhere down the road someone has just died, and at the same time, a baby has been born in a nearby hospital.  Life is always happening.

Work

It's time to go to work!  I loved seeing the old machinery of the factories.  I had no idea that there was so much technology back in the 1920's. The camera catches the intricacies of the gears and other moving parts, and how they move so seamlessly to keep everything running. The sewing machines work on the same principle as my own, only mine has more features.  No matter what kind of job a person has, they all smile at the camera.

Play

Now it's time for fun. The man with the camera goes to the beach and films people tanning and swimming. Next is a montage of people playing sports. This section is quick-paced and exciting.

Beach Aerobics!

The Man Himself

The Man with the movie camera goes to great lengths to get his prize shots. He lays on a railroad track to film a train, and actually stands on a moving car to film passers-by.  He hung off the side of a train to get some good footage as well.  Then everything was edited by a lady. This part should be called "The Lady in the Editing Room". Without editing, there wouldn't be a film, just random footage.  Honestly, this film is edited together much better than most modern films. You have to see it to believe it. I will give this film a 9/10.