Mr. Nobody Against Putin

Watched at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

The exploration of how Pavel Talankin navigates through the school's in Russia and the politics he surrounds himself and others makes a more emotional and purposeful observation. With good camerawork, fun energy and a likable personality from Pavel himself, Pavel Talankin doesn't shy away from the conflicting politics happening in the current times in Russia and offers to make sacrifices to show the issues and what is needed to be explored.

With good music work, discussions from people, and emotionally explorations of the themes of innocence and war, the filmmakers including Pavel makes things thoughtful and great. Especially with how Russia and the current politics are happening, it touches me and I feel invested with the journey Pavel was in.

Obviously, it does suffer from some pacing issues regarding the midpoint but I did enjoy it. As a whole, I do hope Pavel Talankin remains safe because knowing how Russia is and their system, Pavel has risked himself and I hope no further troubles will carry around with him for long.

In an age where autocracy tightens its grip and dissenters disappear without a trace, this documentary emerges as a stark and timely reflection on resistance. The film follows an everyman who finds himself inadvertently drawn into a quiet confrontation with one of the world's leaders. The title is evoking Kafkaesque anonymity, and the film's greatest strength is its restraint. There are no grandstanding monologues just the suffocating tension of a man who loves his country, his town, his presence in society, but is against the regime and the war against Ukraine.

Visually, Mr. Nobody Against Putin captures the haunting contradictions of modern Russia. The beauty of a frozen landscape at minus 45 degrees sits uneasily alongside the brutalist remnants of Soviet architecture. There is warmth in the people, their resilience, their humour but also the omnipresence of state control. The film lingers on chilling images: children marching through school corridors, clutching rifles with solemn determination.

The documentary does not offer easy catharsis. It does not promise a hero's victory or a resolution. Instead, it delivers something more unsettling: a creeping awareness that injustice can happen anywhere. To anyone. When they least expect it.

Pasha, I just had the pleasure of watching your film at Sundance. It was absolutely incredible! The camera work and film quality were brilliant. Thank you so much for the information that you shared and the risks you took to send it. Thank you for your bravery.

To everyone looking to watch this film please do not hesitate. Regardless of your political position or beliefs I think you will find this movie informative. The pacing is excellent and the movie keeps you on the edge of your seat as you become invested in this tiny town and the hardships that come for its citizens who are being drawn into the war. It's an incredibly relevant and important film.

Thank you again to everyone who worked on this! Well done!

Watched the film during a screening at Sundance and along with the rest of the audience I laughed, and cried, and experience a range of emotions in between. Great storytelling. The narration, the choice of videos used, and the storylines woven together felt thoughtful and purposeful.

As someone who's felt run down by the news over the last 3 years, this film gave me a bit of hope. And a push to continue speaking out and helping the people who are.

Thank you for the work that's been put into this film and all the sacrifices made. I'd recommend for others to watch the film - you will enjoy it!

We saw your film at Sundance and it was amazing! The film itself was outstanding, but I am more impressed by your courage and humanity in doing this for the rest of the world. We always think how can one person change things, and usually give up at that point, but the fact is that unless individuals like Pasha stand up, the world will never change. There is a lesson here for Americans under our present regime. The themes of "enemies within" etc. Are all too real. We are hoping your friends in Karabash will be able to see this and take courage from your story. I am also curious about the loyalist history teacher, was there more depth than the party apparatchnik would suggest? Were the tears at the graduation ceremony real?

Thank you!!!!

Don and Deb McClain and Bob and Annette Cooksey.