Adam Curtis' Russia 1985 - 1999: TraumaZone is a seven part, seven hour documentary on the fall of first communism and then democracy in the former Soviet Union. Curtis eschews narration, talking heads, and a musical score. Combing through hundred of hours of footage from BBC sources, Curtis creates an epic and varied bricolage of Russia that gives us the compelling sweep of history and a view of the people on the streets.
Some have missed the puckish sense of Curtis' personality that permeates his other documentaries, but I think he was wise to stay out of the way of a massive story that needs little editorial comment. He does provide titles that tell the where and when of the footage plus pertinent background information. Curtis stresses the vastness of the country in these titles by listing each location's distance from Moscow. This, in turn, shows the folly of central planning in such a vast and far-flung empire.
The variety of footage is stunning. Its length is daunting, but I doubt I will watch a more rewarding and enlightening film this year. Viewers of TraumaZone won't soon forget the little girl pictured below. One of this year's few must see films.
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