Imperium is a 2026 non-narrative documentary film written and directed by Sergei Loznitsa. A co-production between Germany, Italy, France, and Lithuania, it follows a visual journey across the Soviet Union, built entirely from archival footage shot between 1970-73.
The film had its world premiere out of competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on 5 September 2026.
Synopsis The film is presented as a non-narrated visual record of the Soviet Union, constructed from archival footage captured by Italian filmmakers between 1970 and 1973 and preserved by the Archivio Audiovisivo del Movimento Operaio e Democratico. It documents regions ranging from the Arctic to Central Asia, and from the Carpathian Mountains to the Pacific coast, illustrating the cultural diversity that existed within the USSR despite state efforts toward standardization.
Beginning in Moscow, the film gradually moves toward remote rural areas where long-standing traditions continued to shape daily life. The footage offers rare, unfiltered depictions of everyday practices, revealing underlying colonial dynamics within the Soviet system and the enduring resilience of its diverse communities.
Production
The film is promoted by Archivio Audiovisivo del Movimento Operaio e Democratico and produced by Essential Filmproduktion, Kino Produzioni, Rai Cinema and Luce Cinecittà, Société Parisienne de Production, and Studio Uljana Kim. The digitization and restoration was done by , , and Cineteca Nazionale, Italy. It is edited without voiceover or commentary and was in production in February 2026.
Release
Imperium premiered out of competition at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival on 5 September 2026. Subsequently it will compete at the 2026 BFI London Film Festival on 11 October 2026, on the same day, it will also be showcased in the 'Histories of Cinema' section of the 2026 Festival du nouveau cinéma.
In the last week of October, it will be screened in the section of the 71st Valladolid International Film Festival.
Coproduction Office an international sales company, has acquired the sales rights of the film in February 2026.
Accolades Award ceremony Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result BFI London Film Festival 18 October 2026 Best Film Imperium
References
External links