MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN

What do you do when your government goes to war — and you believe it’s wrong?

In this episode of INSIDE THE ARTHOUSE, we explore the extraordinary story behind MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN, the BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated documentary that offers a rare inside look at life in Putin’s Russia during the invasion of Ukraine.

At the center of the film is Pavel “Pasha” Talankin, a school videographer in a small Russian town who quietly opposes the war. When he is required to film classroom lessons promoting state propaganda, he faces an impossible moral choice. Instead of walking away, Pasha secretly collaborates with director David Borenstein, transforming state-mandated footage into a powerful act of cinematic resistance.

Part political thriller, part dark satire, and part whistleblower story, the film captures the tension, absurdity, and real danger of dissent under authoritarian rule.

We’re joined by co-directors David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin, along with Executive Producer Robin Hessman, for a candid conversation about filmmaking under surveillance, the ethics of resistance, and the risks of telling the truth.

This episode is part of our Oscar Spotlight Series, featuring in-depth conversations with this year’s Academy Award–nominated Documentary Feature filmmakers.

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