Man with a Movie Camera

The ultimate documentary by the progressive filmmaker Dziga Vertov dramatizes the cameraman's role in society. Vertov presents a kaleidoscopic image of city life in the Soviet Union of the twenties. By performing unthinkable feats, Vertov shoots the daily experiences of the town population. He rides along with cars and trains. He lies on traffic routes and railways. He climbs towers and bridges. Meanwhile, the camera is running and its glass eye is recording all events.
At the same time, Vertov shows the process of making a film. The spectator is explained in great detail in what way the film is recorded by the cameraman.
Ceaselessly, Vertov mixes the event in front of the lens with the process of recording it. The camera shoots a passer-by who reacts to the camera, and the spectator sees the passer-by looking at his own reflection in the lens. Vertov goes even further by bringing the action to a stop. Then, the still images appear to be part of a filmstrip in the hands of the editor, who is inserting it into the right place in the film. Vertov goes on playing filmtricks to surprise his audience, and at the end of the film he even makes the camera bow to receive the well-deserved applause.