The Rio Theatre is pleased to participate in an international tour of arthouse cinemas screening Dziga Vertov‘s icon of silent cinema, MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA, featuring a live musical score performed by the Austin, Texas outfit Montopolis. One of the most influential documentaries ever made, the 1929 film depicting life in cities including Odessa and Kyiv, Ukraine, recently ranked ninth  on Sight & Sound’s Greatest Films of All Time poll.

Montopolis composer and pianist Justin Sherburn’s joyful, original score celebrates the beauty and resilience of Ukraine’s people, and aims to inspire American audiences to support the country in its time of need.  The grandson of Romanian immigrants, Sherburn has a personal investment in the history and culture of Eastern Europe. His original score incorporates indie rock, extended techniques, and traditional Ukrainian folk melodies. According to Sherburn (whose Ashkenazi family name is Shapiro), the work is “an exercise in the power of music to undermine a film’s intention.”

MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA was commissioned by the Soviet regime under Joseph Stalin to showcase the might of industry in the cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa. The composer’s romantic score transforms a nationalistic propaganda film into a celebration of the human spirit, emphasizing the humanity of the Ukrainian people over the industrial prowess of the Soviet Union. Revered as a visual masterpiece, MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA gives historical context to the current Russian invasion, and lays bare the costs of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.

The live score by Montopolis has been called “stunning and transcendent” by the Austin Chronicle.

Wednesday, May 3
Doors 6:45 pm | Movie 7:30 pm  *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Following the film, Montopolis  will participate in a talkback with the audience.

Kids (Under 12) $20 HERE
Early Bird Tickets (Limited Number Available! Until March 22) $25 HERE
Seniors & Students (Must provide ID) $25 HERE
General Admission Tickets $30 HERE | $35 at the door
VIP Tickets (Reserved Seating, First 5 rows, Centre Section) $35 HERE | $40 at the door

*Minors very welcome. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service. Sorry, Rio Theatre Groupons and passes n/a for this event.
*Online sales end an hour before showtime. Unless otherwise noted, tickets are also available for purchase at our box office.
*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale.

Montopolis has partnered with relief organization Bird of Light Ukraine to raise awareness of the refugee crisis in Ukraine. The organization has built a humanitarian supply line that sends millions of dollars of goods to the hardest hit parts of Ukraine.  With in-depth knowledge of the region, they can respond quickly to the greatest needs as situations change on the ground, a challenge for larger, more prominent NGOs.  Donations for Bird of Light will be accepted in the lobby at every screening on the tour, and a portion of the proceeds from the entire tour will be donated to support their efforts.

Montopolis is an Austin, Texas based musical ensemble that performs live scores to silent films. Their original score to MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA toured cinemas throughout the Midwest and Northeast in 2022 at venues like the Music Box Theater in Chicago, the Nitehawk in Brooklyn, and Cornell Cinema in Ithaca, NY.

For questions or interview requests regarding Montopolis, email Justin Sherburn at [email protected].