A Nail in the Boot

A Nail in the Boot

1930/32. USSR. Directed by Mikhail Kalatozov. With Aleqsandre Jaliashvili, Siko Palavandishvili, Akaki Khorava. In this ostensible allegory of Soviet industry, the poor quality of a nail in a soldier's boot leads to the defeat of a military unit on maneuvers. Its symbolism lost on the literal-minded, who felt it reflected poorly on the military preparedness of the Red Army, the film was banned by Soviet officials. Perhaps more threatening than the film's subject was its style: “The film came at a time when other directors had already begun to feel the chill of criticism for abstract films” (Alexander Birkos, Soviet Cinema: Directors and Films). This masterful film marked the beginning of a seven-year period of inactivity for Kalatozov. Silent; Russian intertitles, simultaneous English translation, and piano accompaniment. 54 min.