Sydney Film Festival 2025 - Mr. Nobody Against Putin

 

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW

Mr. Nobody Against Putin is an absolutely sobering insider view of the militarisation and propagandist policies that are still ongoing in Putin’s Russia to justify their war against Ukraine and the broader free democratic West. Pasha Talankin, a school videographer and event coordinator captures first-hand footage of Karabash Public School’s increasing politicisation as teachers are directed to indoctrinate students in alignment with the governments propaganda policies. It’s heartbreaking to see Pasha’s students and their siblings sent off to war, his coworkers praise the Soviet regime and Putin’s policies and the increasing pressure on Pasha to stay quiet as threats against him increase. His eventual fleeing across the border after capturing so much damning footage speaks to his courage and bravery for remaining as long as he did. And the footage he captured and his bold anti-war stance further incites the audience to righteous rage at the atrocities and infringements carried out by Putin and his puppets. A thoroughly well assembled documentary that’s important, relevant and catalytic - an important voice to hear and follow the call of.