The Russian Revolution took place in 1917, in a country exhausted by the First World War. The event shaped the political landscape of the 20th century. But it was in Manchester, not Imperial Russia, that the idea of communism was born.

Friedrich Engels, co-founder of communist theory with his friend Karl Marx, lived in Manchester for 20 years. His philosophy was shaped by what he observed in the world’s first industrial city. At the initiative of award-winning artist Phil Collins, a decommissioned statue of Engels travelled in 2017 from a Ukrainian village across Europe to be permanently installed in Manchester.

As part of 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, the film is presented as a gallery installation at each location including BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, HOME, Manchester and MAC Belfast.

BALTIC is open until 21.00 during the Great Exhibition of the North, visit between 17.00 and 21.00 to avoid the busiest periods.