Watch Revolution: New Art for a New World

Revolution: New Art for a New World is a 2016 documentary that explores the birth of modern art in Russia after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. Directed by Margy Kinmonth, the movie introduces a unique perspective that showcases how an era in history impacted the art world and the society of Russia. The documentary features interviews with art historians, curators, and artists alongside rare footage and photographs of the period. It doesn't aim to be a comprehensive history of the Art of the Revolution but rather a collection of intimate character studies of the most significant and talented artists of that time.

The film takes us through the journey of the Russian avant-garde artists of the early 20th century, including Kazimir Malevich, Wassily Kandinsky, Marc Chagall, Natalia Goncharova, and others. These artists were initially inspired by the socially transformative possibilities of communism, which they viewed as an opportunity to break away from the past and create a completely new art form to celebrate the new society.

The movie portrays the era as an artistic golden age in Russia, where artists were free to experiment with new forms and ideas. The documentary also illustrates how the avant-garde artists' work progressed from figurative art to abstract art, eventually leading to the creation of Suprematism and Constructivism. The artists' works were showcased at various exhibitions and museums, including the groundbreaking 0.10 exhibition of 1915.

The movie uncovers how revolutionary art soon faced opposition from the Soviet government, which saw art as an instrument of propaganda and devalued the value of abstract artists. Under the government's political pressure, many artists were forced to abandon their art, forced to change their style in favor of Realistic propaganda art. Some of the artists went into exile, while a few persisted with their art despite the risk of imprisonment and censorship.

Throughout the film, we see how the creative spirit of the artists transcended political upheavals, social repression and how their influences and legacy can still be felt in contemporary art. Revolution: New Art for a New World explores many aspects of Russian Avantgarde - suprematism, constructivism, poetry, and art in a vivid and innovative way, making it perfect even for people who are not familiar with these topics.

One of the elements that sets this documentary apart is its use of technology to illustrate the time period. The movie introduces us to a dynamic virtual reality experience that takes us into key artworks and into the world of the artists. Some of these VR elements are particularly stunning, such as a 360-degree recreation of Kazimir Malevich's Black Square.

Revolution: New Art for a New World is an inspiring and illuminating look at the cultural transformation that took place in Russia during the early 20th century. Margy Kinmonth has done an exceptional job of capturing the essence of the era while using modern technology to create a truly immersive experience. The documentary is a must-see for art-lovers and anyone interested in the role of art in society.

Revolution: New Art for a New World is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.