After Stalin's death in 1953, the thawing of totalitarian policies allowed Soviet filmmakers like Mikhail Kalatozov to break new ground and explore the war, society, and gender in films like The Cranes Are Flying. In addition to the societal context that makes this film feel so incredible coming from the USSR, we dive into the gorgeous cinematography that makes The Cranes Are Flying feel so fresh for 1957.Where to watch The Cranes Are FlyingNYT Bosley Crowther Review of The Cranes Are FlyingWhere to watch Invention for Destruction (1958)