Fascinating and complex; a portrait of both the titular filmmaker and the system under which he lived. Although I found the film engrossing despite having little knowledge of Soviet film, I think it definitely would have helped to have some basic familiarity with more of the figures mentioned. Hopefully some time in the future I'll be able to revisit this from a more informed position.

A deep, flowing meditation on an artist's existence over the course of the Soviet Union's, and art's existence within societal courses of power, ideology, and (inevitable) change. Powerful stuff collaged by Marker with energy and sincerity.

What appears to be an expose on Medvedkin is really a fascinating analysis of the Soviet Union through its cinema. Chris Marker lends his trademark eclectic narration to a compelling subject and makes gold.

"The catch is that the letters are addressing a dead man." - Eric Henderson

Sadly, i think there's a reason Sans Soleil and La Jetee remain Marker's most well known films. As beautiful as those films are, his other stuff is... kind of boring.