Poutine, l'irrésistible ascension

As a person with general knowledge of Russian and Putin is was very interested to see some unique footage from the start of Putin his reign. It was interesting to see a young Putin come to power. But since the material was filmed as part of a PR-video it didn't really contain very critical questions. Even though this is understandable because nobody knew how things would turn out (Putin being in power for more or less 18 years). For me the documentary also missed more explanation about what exactly was going. It was a fly on the wall type of film but it didn't manage to be much more than that. If it makes one thing clear though it is the excellent understanding of Putin and his helpers that PR and (public) image are key to getting power and maintaining it.

"The life of a monarch is quite complicated," just think, because he once said that, or -"...how your children will live, how the children of your friends and family will live," well, now some people understand what kind of children he was talking about.

In general, all these reflections, these unique videos, it is impossible to watch without sadness, without sadness for the years that have passed, for the opportunities that have gone irrevocably. Dictatorship and imperialism, chauvinism and ignorance, autocracy and a general crisis covering all spheres - all these rudiments form the image of modern history. Everything changes, everything moves, but human vices remain monumental, and in this vacuum, all this transforms the surreal absolute.

There is very little context offered in this doc, so one should come into it with a decent understanding of Russian history already -- or, at least, modern Russian history. Many questions are left unanswered. For example: HOW, exactly, did Putin come to power? It is amazing when one considers that he grew up poor in Leningrad. This is only briefly mentioned but never expanded upon in terms of his path to President. WHY, exactly, did Yeltsin choose him over his other options? Etc.

Maybe the most memorable part of the doc comes when Yeltsin sits patiently for Putin to call, after Putin has won the election. Of course, Putin never calls. It seems that Yeltsin really did believe in freedom and democracy, and Putin managed to trick Yeltsin. Sad.

That said, there is certainly historical value in much of this footage, although it is often shaky, dark, and hard to watch. I'm not sure the orchestra section was necessary; don't think it added much value. Nonetheless, it is rare--unrehearsed footage of Yeltsin with his family and Putin around the time of his initial "election". Putin waxes poetic on the effectiveness of democracy and one actually wonders if he believes his own BS here. Of course, even at this time, he likely already didn't believe in democracy. It was all a show for the camera and Putin's little speech in the car at the end shows that he can be a pretty good actor.

However, this documentary should have been reduced by a half, and mixed with other footages to better show who this newcomer, Putin, was and how he let perspire his future politics (as it was clearly stated by the wife of the director the night Elstine announnced he was retiring!).

Some very good part though, especially the discussion on the national anthem.

This documentary has amazing footage due the unique situation of the filmmaker having been hired by Putin to make his propaganda film while he aimed Russian presidency after Yeltsin's resignation. There are good lines in interviews with Putin which are important for understanding his concerns and ethos. The interviews and footage with Yesltsin are also nice. Gorbachev's presence is not well explored. Manskiy's idea of showing his own family's reactions to the sudden resigbation of Yesltsin and Putin's rise to power is interesting, but not very well executed, as it is too harassing and long. The outcome is a little sluggish and not really deep or encompassing, perhaps partially due director's own political bias. I liked much more another documentary by him, made under similar conditions, but in North Korea: Under the Sun. There, he speaks less. Here, he talks too much.