Mr. Nobody Against Putin

Plot

As Russia launches its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, primary schools across Russia’s hinterlands are transformed into recruitment stages for the war. Facing the ethical dilemma of working in a system defined by propaganda and violence, a brave teacher goes undercover to film what’s really happening in his own school.

About Mr. Nobody Against Putin

Mr Nobody Against Putin is a 2025 documentary film directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Pavel Talankin. It follows Talankin in his job at a school in Karabash, a poor mining town near the Ural Mountains. While recording his students, Talankin also documents the Putin administration's moves to control public perception during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. The film had its world premiere at the World Cinema Documentary section of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on 25 January, where it won the Special Jury Award. It was selected as the Danish Oscar entry for Best International Feature Film, and went on to win Best Documentary at the 79th British Academy Film Awards and Best Documentary Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Reception was generally positive, but there were concerns – especially by Ukrainian viewers – about the way the film portrayed opposition to Putin within Russia. The film was also criticized for its use of covert footage, particularly of children, obtained without informed consent.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images