Navalny

There's a cage that holds a despot and he's rattled, as you've been shaking it he's become more embattled, so he's attacked your underwear, with an agent that's been smeared, it's left you rather weak and quite bedraggled. Time away is spent to aid recovery, this is when you make your big discovery, there are terrorists of the state, sanctioned assassins who orchestrate, removing those who might be called, adversary. Upon return you are arrested and imprisoned, the powers can't accept an opposition, a corrupt autocracy, will not let your speech be free, you will remain a detainee, without remission.

As "Navalny" (2022 release; 98 min) opens, Russian opposition leader has survived an attempt on his life, and after recovering in Germany, it is "January 17, 2021" and his is about to fly back to Moscow. We then go the "Three Years Earlier", as we see Navalny campaigning of ever bigger and enthusiastic crowds. At this point we are 10 min into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is the second documentary by Canadian director Daniel Roher, whose prior film "Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band" received much acclaim. Here Roher tackles a very different topic: how one man (and his very small entourage) takes on Putin and the Kremlin regime of thugs and murderers. Much of the documentary focuses on the buildup of the attempted murder (in August, 2020) and his return to Moscow 5 months later. Roher seems to have gotten unfettered access, and we get tons of never before seen footage of what day-to-day life is like for someone who could be killed any day by the Kremlin. Navalny's wife is featured extensively as well. Perhaps most stunningly is how a Bulgarian data journalist from Bellingcast pieces together what exactly happened in the leadup to August, 2020. It's like a political thriller movie, except (as Navalny keeps reminding us), "this actually happened". The courage that Navalny shows throughout the film is beyond words. True leadership in the highest order. In other words: the exact opposite of Putin and yes, Trump. PLEASE NOTE: the movie's overall rating showing here on IMDB of just 5.5/10 is grossly misleading. The movie has been rated 10,000 times, undoubtedly very negatively by countless Russian trolls and Trumpist trolls (because, you know, they HATE democracy and they LOVE a good ol' fashioned murderous dictator)., and of course without actually having seen the film. In contrast, all 30 written reviews submitted to date here on IMDb rate this documentary 9/10 or 10/10, and the movie is currently rated 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, all for very good reason.

"Navalny" premiered last night on CNN, and will soon also start streaming on HBO Max. If you want to get a true understanding of what kind of leadership and courage it takes to stand up against Putin, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

*UPDATE* As I fully expected, "Navaly" is nominated for the Best Documentary Oscar, and I am already going on record that it will also WIN the Oscar. There are several other outstanding documentaries nominated for the Oscar, including "Fire of Love" and "All The Beauty and the Bloodshed", but in the end, "Navalny" resonates more than ever (with Russia's Putin in all all-out, if losing, war against Ukraine).

"Navalny" is a Documentary in which we watch the life and political struggles of Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader who became a target of the Russian government after his vocal criticisms of Vladimir Putin.

I found this documentary to be incredibly compelling and interesting not only because of its focus on Navalny's remarkable resilience but also because of the shocking, real-time footage of some important incidents. The documentary provided a behind-the-scenes look at his battle for justice. The most intriguing aspect of the documentary was the courage that Navalny displayed, despite that he knew the risks to his life. The documentary presented very well a mix of interviews, archival footage, and investigative journalism that kept the audience engaged. To sum up, I have to say that "Navalny" is a must-watch documentary and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in global politics and the fight for human rights.

Film about poisoning. On August 20, 2020, Alexei Navalny, a fighter against dictator Putin, was poisoned. During the investigation of the poisoning, there are both funny and sad moments. In the course of the film, there will be one call that will surprise you and the film will not disappoint. If possible, take a look.

This would be a very entertaining farce, if it were fictional but it isn't. It's reality and the Russian leader and the Russian media are simply that dumb.

Navalny is a very bright, very savvy person who seems willing to do whatever it takes, including dying, to see regime change in Russia.

I haven't seen a more remarkable person or movie in a very long time.

A must see.