Mr Nobody Against Putin

Pavel Talankin, a beloved primary school teacher and part-time school videographer, watches in horror as his classroom is transformed into a site for state-sanctioned propaganda. Deciding to risk everything, he turns his lens back on the regime, capturing an intimate and dangerous record of life inside modern Russia. This courageous, high-stakes documentary depicts the chilling reality of state indoctrination, offering an unvarnished look at the soul of a nation under pressure. Director David Borenstein navigated ‘an ethical minefield’ while bringing this project to fruition. Mr. Nobody Against Putin won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award at Sundance 2025, and Best Documentary Feature at this year’s Oscars. ‘Skilful and engrossing … it captures wrenchingly painful moments in people’s lives with a detachment which keeps the focus on the subjects.’ (Rogerebert.com)