The Train Rolls On 1971

Overview

The Train Rolls On is a 1971 documentary film directed by Chris Marker. The production has a runtime of thirty-two minutes and explores the history of the Cine-Train, a project originally established by Aleksandr Medvedkin during the 1930s. This mobile film studio functioned as a self-contained unit equipped with a laboratory, animation stations, editing rooms, and cameras. Throughout its operation, the train traveled across the Soviet countryside to document various aspects of industrial and agricultural life. The crew members lived and worked in cramped, shared quarters while capturing footage of diverse locations, ranging from southern steelworks to harvests in Ukraine. As a documentary, the film serves as an examination of the logistical and creative efforts involved in this unique mobile filmmaking endeavor. The project remains a notable work within the filmography of Chris Marker, focusing on the historical significance of Medvedkin’s traveling studio and its impact on the documentation of Soviet society during that era.