"Virgin Lands" (1956)

"Virgin Lands" (1956) is a Soviet film directed by Sergei Parajanov that dramatizes the Soviet campaign to cultivate and develop previously unused land in Kazakhstan during the 1950s. The story depicts collective farm workers confronting harsh environmental conditions and personal struggles as they attempt to transform wild steppe into productive farmland. The film explores themes of human endurance, the impact of rapid modernization, and the clash between traditional lifestyles and revolutionary change, illustrating how collective effort and resilience are pivotal in shaping a new Soviet way of life in the challenging landscape.