Became artistic supervisor of the Russian film cooperative in 1918. Went to Germany to direct
Der Mörder Dimitri Karamasoff (1931). After Hitler's rise to power, moved to France and directed several films there. Was interned for some time at the outbreak of war, then proceeded to the U.S. by way of Canada. Among his best known work is the screenplay for the pioneer science fiction film
Aelita, the Queen of Mars (1924).