Mr. Nobody Against Putin

Watched at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

The exploration of how Pavel Talankin navigates through the school's in Russia and the politics he surrounds himself and others makes a more emotional and purposeful observation. With good camerawork, fun energy and a likable personality from Pavel himself, Pavel Talankin doesn't shy away from the conflicting politics happening in the current times in Russia and offers to make sacrifices to show the issues and what is needed to be explored.

With good music work, discussions from people, and emotionally explorations of the themes of innocence and war, the filmmakers including Pavel makes things thoughtful and great. Especially with how Russia and the current politics are happening, it touches me and I feel invested with the journey Pavel was in.

Obviously, it does suffer from some pacing issues regarding the midpoint but I did enjoy it. As a whole, I do hope Pavel Talankin remains safe because knowing how Russia is and their system, Pavel has risked himself and I hope no further troubles will carry around with him for long.

I caught this at Doc Edge in New Zealand. It is the most insightful war film! People living normal lives that are quickly up ended as the war effort takes hold. Propaganda 101 - brainwash the youth so you have a consistent stream of canon fodder.

I would have liked to hear from more characters, like parents, teachers and more students. But it was just too risky. Those we hear from are not overtly opposed to the war, rather it's implied. He was careful to protect them by not screening anything overt.

The protagonist puts himself at great risk and ultimately has to disappear to stay safe.

There is a scene where the history teacher is interviewed and speaks of his admiration for various historical characters. If I try to describe it you would think I was exaggerating. You just have to see it!

In an age where autocracy tightens its grip and dissenters disappear without a trace, this documentary emerges as a stark and timely reflection on resistance. The film follows an everyman who finds himself inadvertently drawn into a quiet confrontation with one of the world's leaders. The title is evoking Kafkaesque anonymity, and the film's greatest strength is its restraint. There are no grandstanding monologues just the suffocating tension of a man who loves his country, his town, his presence in society, but is against the regime and the war against Ukraine.

Visually, Mr. Nobody Against Putin captures the haunting contradictions of modern Russia. The beauty of a frozen landscape at minus 45 degrees sits uneasily alongside the brutalist remnants of Soviet architecture. There is warmth in the people, their resilience, their humour but also the omnipresence of state control. The film lingers on chilling images: children marching through school corridors, clutching rifles with solemn determination.

The documentary does not offer easy catharsis. It does not promise a hero's victory or a resolution. Instead, it delivers something more unsettling: a creeping awareness that injustice can happen anywhere. To anyone. When they least expect it.

This was such a powerful watch. It's not often I get the chance to see a film in Russian on the big screen, and the experience really hit me hard. The story unfolded with such intimacy and weight that I found myself holding my breath at times - it left a lump in my throat I couldn't quite shake.

What I loved most was how it balanced the personal with the political - it wasn't just a story about resistance, but about humanity, choices, and the quiet courage of ordinary people. Some parts were confronting, but that's what made it so important and unforgettable.

Watched the film during a screening at Sundance and along with the rest of the audience I laughed, and cried, and experience a range of emotions in between. Great storytelling. The narration, the choice of videos used, and the storylines woven together felt thoughtful and purposeful.

As someone who's felt run down by the news over the last 3 years, this film gave me a bit of hope. And a push to continue speaking out and helping the people who are.

Thank you for the work that's been put into this film and all the sacrifices made. I'd recommend for others to watch the film - you will enjoy it!