A sculptor's genius weaponized by propaganda—art meets Soviet machinery at 53 meters tall.
A film about Vera Mukhina (1889-1953) based on the diaries of the outstanding Riga-born sculptress who studied in Paris with Rodin’s pupil Bourdelle, the master of European sculpture. At the 1937 Paris World Exposition, Mukhina presents her monumental sculptural ensemble Worker and Peasant Woman. Weighing 75 tons and 53metres high, it becomes a sensation. Mukhina truly believes in human ideas, and this is successfully used by the USSR propaganda machine.
Direction
Brūvere weaves diary intimacy against epic state spectacle.
Production
Rare archival access to 1937 Paris Exposition footage.
Director
Ilona Brūvere
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'Worker and Kolkhoz Woman' became the USSR's most reproduced image, gracing Mosfilm's logo for decades—Mukhina's art literally introduced every Soviet movie.
Brūvere's Latvian perspective is crucial: Mukhina was born in Riga, then Russian Empire, making her national identity as contested as her political legacy.
LV
