Imperium (2026)
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
"Imperium" is a striking visual journey through the vast expanse of the Soviet Union, built entirely from long-forgotten archival footage shot between 1970 and 1973 by Italian filmmakers. From Arctic shores to Central Asian deserts, from the Carpathians to the Pacific, the film reveals a rich tapestry of cultures the Soviet state sought to standardise. Beginning in Moscow and gradually approaching remote villages where centuries-old traditions still thrived, exposing the decreasing weight of centralised power. Without voice-over or commentary, the images themselves reveal a profound paradox: an empire projecting unity while ruling over profoundly heterogeneous worlds. Through these rare, unfiltered glimpses of daily life, Imperium uncovers the often-hidden colonial dynamics of the USSR and the quiet resilience of its many peoples. More than a historical document, the film becomes a lens through which to understand the fractures and geopolitical tensions that continue to resonate across the former Soviet space today. - Directors:
- Sergey Loznitsa
- Producers:
- Philippe Bober, Uljana Kim, Anne-Claire Martin, Giovanni Pompili, Solal Coutard, Luca Ricciardi
- Writers:
- Sergey Loznitsa
- Aka:
- Imperium
- Genres:
- Documentary, Special Interest
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Reviews (1) of Imperium
A Triumph of False Advertising - Imperium review by griggs
The USSR was a triumph of false advertising. Even the name was a lie. The Union was a Russian empire run from Moscow, the soviets – or workers’ councils – had precious little say, and socialism amounted to state capitalism with bureaucrats at the wheel. Meanwhile, the republics enjoyed the autonomy of a branch office.
Sergei Loznitsa makes that case without a narrator. His team cut nearly 60 hours of 1970s footage, shot by an Italian crew, down to under three, and rebuilt much of the lost soundtrack. It’s an astonishing piece of salvage. Everywhere the camera goes, people have their own languages, faiths and traditions, while Moscow tries to squeeze them all into the same Soviet uniform. I liked being trusted to spot that myself.
The argument lands long before the credits. Nearly three hours had me ticking off former republics like a grim package holiday. Losing 57 hours was heroic. Half an hour more on the cutting-room floor wouldn’t have hurt.
An enormous empire. Loznitsa makes sure you feel every mile.