Soviet Montage Film Movement (1924-1935)

Everyone who has ever seen a movie has at some point in time, seen a section of films were a series of shots that indicate actions over a span of time, usually without dialogue. This is what is referred to as a Montage, which is French for assembly or editing.

This cinematic device originated during the Silent Film Era as part of a movement called the Soviet Montage Movement.

While the most notable director in the Soviet Montage Movement was director Sergei Eisenstein, the chief architect of this movement was director Lev Kuleshov.

Eisenstein declared in

“A Dialectic Approach to Film Form that to determine the nature of montage is to solve the specific problem of cinema.”

Moreover, though, Montage created a cinematic language that helped overcome the illiteracy of the Soviets at the time, using images rather than words, in order to adequately communicate the precepts and the ideals of the Communist Party. It also served to create a clear distinction between American and Russian filmmaking styles.

Soviet Montage Movement Film Characteristics

Without getting too far into the weeds, Montage’s theory brought a set of rules and structures to film. While American film would stick closer to the script, Montage directors and theorists preferred, as one writer referred to, as a “collision of images” to achieve meaning. It relied on images rather than words on title cards.

Further exploration of the Soviet Montage Style and how it affected filmmaking throughout the ages can be found below:

Influential Soviet Montage Movement Directors

Perhaps the greatest example of the Soviet Montage movement was the film the Battleship Potemkin, directed by Sergei Eisenstein. The story was told in five acts and focused on the 1905 incident where the crew of the ill-fated ship mutinied against its officers.

The Acts were entitled Men and Maggots, Drama on the Deck, A Dead Man Calls Out, The Odessa Steps, and One Against All. Other notable Soviet Montage Movement directors included Dziga Vertov and Vsevolod Pudovkin.

The entire film can be found below:

Soviet Montage Movement Films

While the most prolific film of the time was the Battleship Potemkin, other movies of the time included Dziga Vertov’s documentary Kino-Eye (1924).

This documentary follows the joys of life in a Soviet village centers around the activities of the Young Pioneers who are always busy, pasting propaganda posters on walls, distributing fliers, and helping poor widows.

Lev Kuleshov’s The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. West in the Land of the Bolsheviks (1924), featured the travels of a character called Mr. West who learns the truth about how America perceives the Soviet people.

REAL-WORLD STREAMING FILM EDUCATION

1. Indie Film Hustle TV (Streaming Real-World Film Education)
2. Hollywood Film School: Filmmaking & TV Directing Masterclass
3. Filmmaker in a Box – Learn How to Make an Indie Film – 18 Hours+ of Lessons 
4. Storytelling Blueprint: Hero’s Two Journeys
5. The Dialogue Series: 38 hours of Lessons from Top Hollywood Screenwriters

WATCH THE FILMS

1. On the Corner of Ego and Desire – FREE on Amazon Prime
2. This is Meg – FREE on Amazon Prime

FILMMAKING RESOURCES

1. IFH Academy – Exclusive Filmmaking & Screenwriting Training
2. Indie Film Hustle® Podcast
3. Bulletproof Screenwriting® Podcast
4. Filmtrepreneur™ Podcast
5. FreeFilmBook.com (Download Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book)

If you liked The Film Movement in Cinema Series, then you’ll love:

---

Enjoyed The Film Movement in Cinema Series? Please share it in your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, email, etc) by using social media buttons at the side or bottom of the blog. Or post to your blog and anywhere else you feel it would be a good fit. Thanks.

I welcome thoughts and remarks on ANY of the content above in the comments section below…

---

Get Social with Indie Film Hustle:
Facebook: Indie Film Hustle
Twitter: @indiefilmhustle
Instagram: @ifilmhustle
YouTube: Indie Film Hustle

Podcasts You Should Be Listening To:
Podcast: Indie Film Hustle® Podcast
Podcast: Bulletproof Screenwriting® Podcast
Podcast: The Filmtrepreneur® Podcast

Stuff You Need in Your Life:
IFH Academy: Exclusive Filmmaking & Screenwriting Training
IFHTV: Indie Film Hustle TV
Book: Rise of the Filmtrepreneur®: How to Turn Your Indie Film into a Moneymaking Business
Book: Shooting for the Mob (Based on the Incredible True Filmmaking Story)
FREE 3-Part Indie Film Producing Video Series

---

Gain Instant Access to IFHTV Here

---

Please note some of the links on this page are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase or use a service. Understand that I have experience with all of these services, products, and companies, and I recommend them because they’re extremely helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I earn if you decide to buy something.