The Great Famine (2011)

The Great Famine, a documentary, unravels the 1921 American endeavor to aid famine-stricken Soviet Russia, a disaster rivaling Europe's worst since the Middle Ages. With 5 million Russian casualties, Herbert Hoover led the two-year relief campaign via the American Relief Administration (ARA). Responding to Maxim Gorky's plea, Hoover swiftly promised support amidst Russia's post-revolution turmoil. Facing logistical hurdles and distrust from Lenin's government, the ARA encountered delays and opposition, causing an estimated 50,000 deaths. Initially targeting one million children, the famine's enormity expanded the relief scope. Despite widespread cannibalism, Hoover doubled funding, aiming to showcase American strength and kindness. 'Hoover's boys' eventually delivered aid to nearly 11 million Russians daily by 1922's end, yet 5 million perished. Though Hoover's efforts saved lives, Lenin's regime never acknowledged American goodwill, viewing relief workers as spies. The ARA's employment of educated but distrusted Russians intensified tensions, shaping US-Soviet relations for decades. 'The Great Famine' chronicles this engagement, celebrated for its efficacy and benevolence, within the broader context of the Russian Revolution and the ensuing US-Soviet rivalry.