Documentary backdrop image for Mad Mimes (2012)

201230 minPGdocumentary

10.0/ 10(2 ratings)• TMDB

Colonialism

Deep Dive

Mad Mimes

201230 minPGdocumentary

10.0/ 10(2 ratings)• TMDB

Deep Dive

A self-marginalized commune near the Moscow Ring Road relies on roadside trash for survival, forming a cargo cult around the unpredictable highway.

“The film is a study of the mimetic practices in a fictitious self-marginalized commune located next to the Moscow Ring Road, a highway that marks the boundaries of the Russian capital.”

Colonialism

Genres

Culture

Director

Dimitri Venkov

Watch later

Synopsis

A self-marginalized commune near the Moscow Ring Road relies on roadside trash for survival, forming a cargo cult around the unpredictable highway.

People

View all →

Dimitri Venkovdirector

Dimitri Venkovwriter

Daniil Zinchenkocast

Pavel Grozincast

Alexander Evangelycast

Synopsis

Nina Davydova and her fellow inhabitants of a self-marginalized commune near the Moscow Ring Road rely on the highway for survival. This 30-minute documentary, directed by Petr Laden, presents an anthropological study of their cargo cult, which has formed around the unpredictable resources found along the road. The film captures the community's adaptation to their precarious existence, revealing how they navigate life dictated by the fluctuations of their environment.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

Meet the unique cargo cult by the Moscow Ring Road
See how roadside trash sustains a community
Find out about mimetic practices in a self-marginalized commune

Did You Know

The film was released in 2012 and has a duration of 30 minutes.
The commune is located near the Moscow Ring Road, which marks the boundaries of Moscow.
The film features a cast that includes five individuals, such as Nina Davydova and Arseny Zhilyaev.
The documentary is produced in Russia and is available in Russian and a fictional language.

Perfect For

Visual anthropologyRussian unofficial artCargo cult studies

Read full Deep Dive →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main focus of the documentary Mad Mimes?

Mad Mimes focuses on a cargo cult in a self-marginalized commune near the Moscow Ring Road, examining their survival strategies and reliance on resources from roadside trash.

Who directed the documentary Mad Mimes?

Mad Mimes was directed by Petr Laden.

What year was Mad Mimes released?

Mad Mimes was released in 2012.

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

48m

Siberia, on the Road to the Gulags

2023•48m

1,200 kilometers of the M56 road connect Neryungri to Yakutsk, facing extreme weather and dangerous conditions that challenge every traveler.

Siberia, on the Road to the Gulags

2023

53m

On the Road: Russia (2012 Documentary about Russia from the series: "I Love Democracy")

2014•53m

In Russia, a 9,000-kilometer road trip from Vladivostok to Moscow highlights the struggles of civil society activists against corruption and political repression.

On the Road: Russia (2012 Documentary about Russia from the series: "I Love Democracy")

2014

25m

Living in Russia: Youth (3/6)

2020•25m

53% of young people in Russia express a desire to leave their country, reflecting a divide in aspirations among the youth.

Living in Russia: Youth (3/6)

2020

42m

The Russians - An intimate journey through Russia (2/2)

2020•42m

A blast furnace in Siberia produces 13,500 tons of molten crude iron each day, reflecting the industrial backbone of Russia's economy.

The Russians - An intimate journey through Russia (2/2)

2020

52m

At the End of the Road: Siberia's Forgotten People

2026•52m

Isolated hamlets in Siberia face decline due to poverty and alcoholism, as their inhabitants grapple with a fading existence in a vast, dark forest.

At the End of the Road: Siberia's Forgotten People

2026

1h23m

Cities of the Future: Inside the World's Slums

2026•1h23m

In cities worldwide, including Mumbai, Rabat, and Marseille, residents of slums create innovative housing solutions that reflect their cultural heritage and resilience.

Cities of the Future: Inside the World's Slums

2026

24m

Living in Russia: Childhood (2/6)

2020•24m

Over a quarter of children and teenagers in Russia live in poverty, with one in five having tried drugs at least once.

Living in Russia: Childhood (2/6)

2020

1h23m

A Billion People Live Like This: Inside the World's Informal Cities

2026•1h23m

One in six people globally lives in informal settlements, as explored through the resilient communities in Mumbai, Rabat, Lakewood, Marseille, and Kitcisakik.

A Billion People Live Like This: Inside the World's Informal Cities

2026

1h6m

Influenza: The Hundred Year Hunt to Cure the Deadliest Disease in History

2019•1h6m

The 1918 influenza pandemic killed more people worldwide than combat during World War One.

Influenza: The Hundred Year Hunt to Cure the Deadliest Disease in History

2019

22m

Apollo and the Oracle of Delphi

2025•22m

In ancient Greece, the Oracle of Delphi served as a pivotal religious site where priestesses delivered prophecies attributed to the god Apollo.

Apollo and the Oracle of Delphi

2025

47m

Why Did Nasa Secretly Send 6 Men To The Bottom Of The Ocean In 1969?

2026•47m

In July 1969, NASA conducted a secret experiment involving six men in the PX-15 submarine, exploring the depths of the Gulf Stream for 30 days.

Why Did Nasa Secretly Send 6 Men To The Bottom Of The Ocean In 1969?

2026

1h14m

Pontius Pilate - Rome's Most Famous Governor Documentary

2026•1h14m

Pontius Pilate, the Roman Prefect known for presiding over the trial of Jesus Christ, navigated the political turmoil of first-century Jerusalem and faced a mysterious downfall.

Pontius Pilate - Rome's Most Famous Governor Documentary

2026

Explore Mad Mimes

People Deep Dive Topics FAQ

Where else to watch

1h10m

The Road Movie

2017•1h10m•★6.7TMDB

A military tank is washed at a car wash, illustrating the unpredictable nature of life on Russian roads captured through dashboard cameras.

The Road Movie

2017

1h35m

Garage People

2021•1h35m•★5.8TMDB

Endless rows of garages in northern Russia serve as refuges for men seeking solace from their daily lives, filled with dreams and aspirations.

Garage People

2021

45m

Pretty Dyana

2003•45m•★5.4TMDB

Five modified Citroen 2cv and Dyana cars serve as recycling vehicles for Gypsy refugees in a Belgrade suburb, collecting cardboard, bottles, and scrap metal.

Pretty Dyana

2003

1h24m

The Malagasy Way

2014•1h24m•★4.8TMDB

Everyday objects in Madagascar are transformed into valuable items, such as tires made into shoes and light bulbs turned into oil lamps.

The Malagasy Way

2014

Browse more like this

48m

Siberia, on the Road to the Gulags

2023•48m

1,200 kilometers of the M56 road connect Neryungri to Yakutsk, facing extreme weather and dangerous conditions that challenge every traveler.

Siberia, on the Road to the Gulags

2023

No digital watch option in your country

53m

On the Road: Russia (2012 Documentary about Russia from the series: "I Love Democracy")

2014•53m

In Russia, a 9,000-kilometer road trip from Vladivostok to Moscow highlights the struggles of civil society activists against corruption and political repression.

On the Road: Russia (2012 Documentary about Russia from the series: "I Love Democracy")

2014

No digital watch option in your country

23m

Landscapes of Rivers (And Other Ways to Speak with Yourself)

2020•23m•★9.0TMDB

Three outsider musicians from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Chelyabinsk share their experiences in urban life and music culture over 23 minutes.

Landscapes of Rivers (And Other Ways to Speak with Yourself)

2020

Shopping Bag Spirits and Freeway Fetishes: Reflections on Ritual Space

1981•1h•★10.0TMDB

Nine Los Angeles artists discuss the influence of ritual in their lives and work, from performance art to environmental sculpture.

Shopping Bag Spirits and Freeway Fetishes: Reflections on Ritual Space

1981

Carcasse

2017•1h•★5.7TMDB

A part of a plane is repurposed as a sheep shed on a deserted peninsula where a community adapts to their environment using discarded materials.

Carcasse

2017

30m

Mutoid Waste Company

1998•30m•★8.0TMDB

A group of English travellers performs in Vienna, living as modern nomads in an alternative lifestyle.

Mutoid Waste Company

1998

1h56m

Pipeline

2013•1h56m•★5.1TMDB

Vitaly Mansky journeys along the Trans-Siberian gas pipeline, revealing the disparity between Europe's energy demands and the realities of local Russian communities.

Pipeline

2013

1h48m

With a Thin Thread

2023•1h48m•★7.0TMDB

Five regions of Russia are represented as artists and fashion designers reflect on their cultural heritage through traditional rites and modern expressions.

With a Thin Thread

2023

1h28m

Image of an Assassination: A New Look at the Zapruder Film

1998•1h28m•★7.6TMDB

Abraham Zapruder's footage of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in Dallas on November 22, 1963, is digitally remastered to reveal new details and its impact on public perception.

Image of an Assassination: A New Look at the Zapruder Film

1998