Mr. Nobody Against Putin (2025) Documentary Review: A Heroic Act of Defying Propaganda on an Ethical Level

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Vladimir Putin’s Russia has been a subject of interest for documentary filmmakers because of how secluded and enigmatic the largest country in the world has been. While the Cold War era of the Soviet Union has been depicted countless times on screen, contemporary Russia has been impenetrable to outside media due to the nation’s closed-off policy of accepting visitors. Mr. Nobody Against Putin” (2025) is a rare artifact because it comes from inside the nation itself, exposing the discrepancies with the “official” story laid out by Russian propagandists.

However, “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” isn’t a political exposé on the documented abuses of power committed by the nation’s active leader. Rather, it is the story of a personal rebellion on behalf of a brave civilian who decided to take a stand against the manipulation of the next generation. While the footage was later assembled and edited by European director David Borenstein, “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” is centered on Pavel Talankin, a videographer and events coordinator at the Karabash Primary School in Russia.

Not much older than the students that he’s interacted with, Talankin has become a much-loved member of the community based on his willingness to go above and beyond to make education a more involved, enjoyable experience. It’s shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 that Talankin notices significant changes in the composition of the school’s curriculum. It’s after Putin’s direct addresses to the nation that teachers are forced to deliver new academic rhetoric that speaks to the importance of nationalism, patriotism, and militarism.

Mr. Nobody Against Putin (2025) Movie — A still from “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” (2025)

At first, the propaganda techniques used to celebrate the supposed nobility and wholesomeness of Putin himself seem absurd, especially when compared to the dearth of charisma he has in public. However, Talankin’s concerns about the effects that it might have on these children are based on his in-depth knowledge of youthful education and end up being justified.

These kids are at an age in which they are forced to adapt to all sorts of changes, and can’t be expected to see through the lies of a government that is attempting to justify the annihilation of an entire group of people. Since “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” is largely confined within the doors of the school itself, Tanakin and Borenstein are able to document the sharp rate at which educational institutions are used as a means of brainwashing an entire generation into conforming to Putin’s regime.

The parameters of the story make it slightly unclear as to at what point Talankin began taking his role as a documentarian seriously. While he was tasked with recording video for school functions from the beginning of his position, it was after coming into conflict with Borenstein that he began excessively capturing instances in which governmental orders interfered with, and ultimately superseded, the curriculum. Even if Talankin obviously only had meager resources available when waging his one-man battle to expose the truth, the lack of professionalism only highlights how dangerous it was for him to speak out when the entire nation was locked down.

One of the most unsettling aspects of the film is Talankin’s relationship with the way in which he’s been made to serve as an Orwellian agent on behalf of Putin’s regime. His role as a videographer is transformed into one where he must film school functions, exercises, and lectures, which are thus uploaded to a private server to ensure that all members of the staff have adhered to commands.

The issue that Talankin raises about complacency is a compelling one, and not something that can be easily answered. While he couldn’t be chastised for following orders, as to disobey could put the lives of himself and his loved ones in danger, the sharing of that perspective has allowed Putin to retain power for decades.

Although the subject material is grim, “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” benefits from how charismatic Talankin is as a narrator, as his affection for the students is completely sincere. While at first having to recite state-mandated declarations might feel like an annoyance, it becomes a more horrifying issue when alumni of the school are asked to serve on behalf of the Russian military.

Perhaps the film’s most upsetting moments involve a fellow teacher, serving on behalf of the propagandists, who delivers a haunting speech to young students that demands they serve their nation without question, and to leave if they don’t agree. It’s the type of blunt, overtly demented rhetoric that evokes totalitarian thrillers like “V for Vendetta” or “The Hunger Games,” and the fact that it’s entirely real is difficult to intellectualize for anyone who has never lived under the control of a fascist.

“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” does somewhat struggle to be an all-consuming summation of all the nasty activity within the last three years of Russian history. Although the war in Ukraine and Putin’s dubious re-election are briefly mentioned, the film isn’t able to touch on issues like the death of Alexei Navalny, the ICC’s arrest warrant for Putin, the Syrian Civil War, or the manipulation of policies in the United States.

There’s only so much information that can be filtered exclusively through the perspective of a single primary institution, but some of the film’s more intriguing moments deal with the personality cult surrounding Putin himself to the extent to which state-mandated media has become an extension of the executive branch.

Although not all of the editing choices are fluid and some musical cues are overwrought, minor flaws in the technical precision of “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” don’t detract from the totality of its achievement as a work of protest art. The process of the film’s inception was itself a dangerous act, and that feeling of being involved extends to viewers, as it would be impossible to feel passive upon completion.

It’s not the first, nor will it be the last, film about contemporary Russia, but the personal perspective of Talankin gives an emotional hook that can’t be matched. The word “brave” is often used performatively when describing Hollywood achievements, which are generally made for the sake of entertainment value, but “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” is the rare film that could be deservedly described as heroic.