A man travels around a city with a camera, recording urban life. Part documentary, part cinematic art, the film uses innovative camera shots to depict everyday life in the Soviet Union of the 1920s. Has no titles or narration, yet naturally conveys the marvels of the modern city, with its vast buildings, dense population and bustling industries. In 1929 films had an average shot length (ASL) of 11.2 seconds. This film’s ASL is 2.3 seconds! Voted No. 1 in Sight and Sound ’s recent poll of the greatest documentaries.