Also known as The Earth Thirsts, this Yuli Raizman production was filmed silent but with the help of a synchronized music and sound-effects track it ended up being heralded as the Soviet Union's first sound film. Filmed in semi-documentary fashion, the story concerns a group of Komsomol youths who attempt to bring modern irrigation methods to a water-starved village in the Kara-Kuma desert. Their efforts are blocked by the local ruler, who of course is meant to represent despotic capitalism. The local natives revolt against the ruler, the irrigation system is put into effect, and all's right with the world. It has been reported by some historians that director King Vidor patterned the climax of Our Daily Bread after the final scenes in The Soil is Thirsty.
by Hal Erickson
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