‘Mr. Nobody Against Putin’ Wins BAFTA for Best Documentary - The Moscow Times
Moscow Times
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The documentary *Mr. Nobody Against Putin* has won the Best Documentary award at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), highlighting the concerning trend of Russian schools becoming tools for state propaganda following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Directed by Pavel Talankin, a former school event coordinator in Chelyabinsk, and David Borenstein, the film exposes how Russian education institutions have been transformed into platforms for promoting Kremlin ideology, with militarized youth programs and pressure on teachers to align with government narratives.
Talankin, who left Russia in 2024 before the documentary's release and is now based in the Czech Republic, secretly collected footage that reveals the systematic indoctrination of children. Borenstein described Talankin’s work as a testament to the importance of moral choice in dark times, emphasizing the universal issues of free speech and brainwashing raised by the film. The project gained international attention after premiering at Sundance and Göteborg film festivals last year and has since been nominated for an Academy Award.
The documentary provides rare insight into how Russia’s Education Ministry enforces patriotic rituals and songs to instill loyalty to state ideology. This raises critical questions about the role of education in shaping future generations under authoritarian regimes, making it a vital watch for those interested in global politics, human rights, and the suppression of independent journalism.
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Originally published on Moscow Times on 2/23/2026