Old and New (1929) DVD

Starring Marfa Lapkina, M. Ivanin, Konstantin Vasilyev, Vasili Buzenkov, Nejnikov
Directed by Grigori Aleksandrov, Sergei M. Eisenstein

Print: Black and White
Runtime:121 min.
Genre: Drama

In 1929 when Staline was the russian thing. The story presented in the film is first and foremost a very convincing drama having as a central character Marfa Latkina, a strong-willed and hard-working peasant woman who manages to convince her peasant comrades that the only way they can escape the domination of the kulaks who helped keep the majority of peasants in ignorance and hunger is by bringing their efforts together, annulling the boundaries of private and inefficient property, saving money for future investment and trusting and relying on the new technological breakthroughs such as the tractor. Marfa Latkina is, I think, Eisenstein's first attempt at creating a powerful individual character that acts as a voice for the people and protects their interests. Eisenstein manages to make a point because he chose wisely a very compelling woman; we simply trust that that face represents the mass of the hungry and frustrated peasants.