Film Lens
Elektro Moskva is a 2013 music documentary directed by Elena Tikhonova and Dominik Spritzendorfer. It examines the history of Soviet and post-Soviet electronic music, covering nearly a century of development from the Theremin to synthesizers and KGB surveillance tools. The film uses archival footage and contemporary interviews, including insights from musician Alexei Borisov, to illustrate the cultural and social shifts in Russia.
The documentary pays tribute to pioneers of electronic music and discusses the connection between musical technology and military research. It also addresses the secretive nature of musical experimentation under political censorship and shows the creativity of those who developed electronic instruments. The film features the last interview of Leon Theremin, which serves as both a prologue and epilogue to the narrative.
Why Watch
- •See Leon Theremin's final interview never released before.
- •Meet musician Alexei Borisov discussing electronic music.
- •Find out about KGB's role in musical technology.
Did You Know
•The film was shot over a period of eight years.
•Leon Theremin's final interview was filmed by Sergei Zezyulkov.
•The documentary had its world premiere at Diagonale in April 2013.
•The interview with music critic Artemy Troitsky is available as a DVD extra.
Perfect For
Soviet history enthusiastsElectronic music fansCold War studies