I Am an Ox, I Am a Horse, I Am a Man, I Am a Woman

This glasnost-era documentary, which incorporates footage from films from the 1920s through the 1980s, looks at the history of women in Russian cinema through the eyes of Russian women directors, actors, and scriptwriters. The film’s title refers to a WWII slogan about women doing the work of absent men in the fields and at home. Featuring Kira Muratova, Natalia Ryazantseva, Inna Churikova, Nonna Mordyukova, and others.

Directed by Sally Potter, I Am an Ox, I Am a Horse, I Am a Man, I Am a Woman leans on a strong ensemble — Kira Muratova, Natalya Ryazantseva, Lana Goghoberidze — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 1988.