Winner: Best Documenray at both the British and American Academy awards.
Pavel Talankin is a primary school teacher in a remote Russian mining town. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Pavel’s informed he must enforce government changes to his curriculum.
The changes include a nationalist approach using only state-approved propaganda.
As such, Pavel witnesses the pressure on educators to force children to perform patriotic songs and military-themed activities.
Pavel’s role slowly evolves to be a whistle-blower as he secretly films Putin’s Education Policy in action. In doing so, Pavel faces the possibility of imprisonment for his efforts to expose the truth in the face of an oppressive regime.
“This documentary vividly illustrates the power and resilience of everyday people against institutional forces.” – Rotten Tomatoes
