Enthusiasm: Symphony of the Donbass

Documentary by Dziga Vertov that chronicles the transformation of the Donbass region during the Soviet Union’s First Five-Year Plan. The film opens with a young woman adjusting a radio headset, symbolizing the advent of a new era. It juxtaposes scenes of religious rituals with images of industrial labor, highlighting the shift from old beliefs to socialist ideals. Viewers witness the dismantling of churches alongside the construction of factories, as coal miners and steelworkers strive to exceed production quotas. The film culminates in celebrations of socialist achievements, showcasing parades and communal festivities in both urban and rural settings, ultimately presenting a symphony of human and machine in the march toward progress.

The film was shot on location in the Donbass region, where the working conditions were harsh. The team used primitive sound-recording equipment, often struggling against environmental noise and technical limitations. Despite these obstacles, the result was a highly innovative blend of documentary realism and artistic abstraction.

Dziga Vertov, born Denis Kaufman, was a pioneering Soviet filmmaker and theorist of cinema. He was a leading figure in the “Kino-Eye” movement, which sought to capture truth through the lens of the camera, rejecting staged narratives in favor of unvarnished reality. His work influenced generations of filmmakers, including the French New Wave and modern documentary filmmakers.