Podkova (film)

Podkova is a 1931 Soviet silent film directed by Iosif Kheifits and Aleksandr Zarkhi. It is a social drama focusing on the lives and struggles of workers at a metal factory. The film depicts the conflict between the old and new ways of life as the factory transitions to a more modern and efficient system. Podkova, which translates to "Horseshoe," likely refers symbolically to good fortune and the potential for a better future through industrialization. The film is considered an early work in the careers of both Kheifits and Zarkhi, who later became prominent Soviet filmmakers. It showcases the prevalent themes of proletarian struggle and the promotion of socialist ideals common in Soviet cinema of the era.