<\/ins>\u00a0 Ironically, the Orwellian \u201clessons\u201d all Russian teachers were now required to deliver, celebrating the Russian military and demonizing Ukraine, meant considerably more work for Talankin. As the school\u2019s video specialist, he was now required to record each teacher\u2019s propaganda lectures and download the videos to the Russian Ministry of Education\u2019s website, to prove their compliance. Nevertheless, Talankin should take all due precautions, because the militancy of the classroom propaganda documented in Mr. Nobody Against Putin<\/strong> should embarrass the regime. Tragically, embarrassing Putin often leads to drastically shortened life-spans. Nevertheless, Karabash residents already face an average life-expectancy of a 45 years, due to the widespread mercury contamination\u2014a grim fact that maybe helped put things into perspective for Talankin. <\/ins>\u00a0 If you like the review, share your thoughts below!<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
Technically, Talankin was not a teacher. He was the school\u2019s events coordinator and video archivist. Of course, his kids adored him, because almost everything that was fun at school, he planned. He also served as videographer during every campus performance, sports meet, and assembly. Conveniently, that meant he never looked suspicious carrying a video camera.![\"Mr.](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mr.-Nobody-Against-Putin2.png\")
\u00a9Courtesy of the Sundance Film Festival<\/p>\r\n
From an educational perspective, these increasingly strident scripts have little or no value. Perhaps regime loyalists could argue the kids might learn something when Wagner mercenaries hold an assembly to teach the student body how to properly handle hand grenades and landmines, but at the point, there is no denying the militarization of civilian education. Yes, that really happened\u2014and Talankin has the video to prove it.
As viewers might guess, Talankin was less than thrilled with the new curriculum and pedagogical tone. He also finds himself increasingly isolated due to his reputation for supporting Russia\u2019s beleaguered democratic reform movement. Some viewers might also pick up on indirect hints Talankin could have other personal reasons to be out of step with the Putin regime, but the film scrupulously keeps his personal life private, which is completely appropriate. Even though he has become an international whistle-blower with this film, which credits him as a \u201cco-director\u201d and sole cinematographer, he is still entitled to his privacy.<\/p>\r\n![\"Mr.](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mr.-Nobody-Against-Putin3.png\")
\u00a9Courtesy of the Sundance Film Festival<\/p>\r\n
Yet, that should not diminish viewers\u2019 appreciation of Talankin\u2019s courage. In fact, the prologue, shot during his escape from Russian (ostensibly leaving on a tourist visa, with a return ticket) immediately establishes a visceral sense of danger. Indeed, film editors Rebekka Lenqvist and Nikolaj Monberg skillfully shaped a compelling narrative out of Talankin\u2019s revelatory footage.<\/p>\r\n
More than any prior documentary, Mr. Nobody Against Putin<\/strong> truly exposes how profoundly the former KGB agent turned elected-dictator has corrupted Russian society. Even hawkish Putin-critics will be shocked, so say a prayer for Talankin. Arguably, this is one of the few documentaries that genuinely deserves adjectives like \u201cbrave\u201d and \u201cdaring.\u201d Very highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand the true state of Russian society, Mr. Nobody Against Putin<\/strong> has further in-person and online screenings during this year\u2019s Sundance\u2014and it deserves a long subsequent life on the festival circuit.
Grade: A+<\/p>\r\n