Educational Media Reviews Online

Magnitogorsk was inspired by Joris Ivens' 1932 propaganda film Song of the Heroes that presented the "glory" of the Soviet Union's economic power by tracing the almost superhuman efforts put forth to erect the massive steel plant and city of this work's title that took advantage of an iron-rich region of the Ural Mountains. Magnitogorsk is a fascinating examination of the history and lasting effects of industrialization through central planning and is most effective when exposing the ironies that exist in the shadow of the complex: forced laborers who built Magnitogorsk speak openly of the injustices they suffered, yet express great pride in their accomplishment; a current Magnitogorsk plant foreman displays a comfortable middle class lifestyle, but speaks wistfully of the old system in which he would not have to worry about paying for his son's higher education; a woman talks about her family's religious devotion, but wonders if it is driven by the fact that worship had been forbidden under the USSR; and a chemist worries about pollution caused by the unbridled push for industrialization, fearing for the health of any child she might be able to afford to bear - she also speaks of her high, professional position and her desire to travel, but tears well up as she admits that she does not have the means to travel, quickly adding that she does not begrudge those who are able to exercise freedom of movement.

The program is presented in Russian with English subtitles and the production values are superb. Recognized in 1996 at both the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam and the International Festival of Visual Arts in Hungary, Magnitogorsk is powerful and informative, appropriate for junior high level and above in the areas of history, current events, political science, film studies, or general viewing. Highly recommended.