Mr. Nobody Against Putin follows Pasha Talankin, a beloved Russian primary school teacher is reluctantly drawn into Putin’s propaganda machine after the invasion of Ukraine. As he witnesses his school and community transformed by militarization and fear, Pasha secretly documents life under the regime, capturing rare footage of indoctrinated children, repressive laws, and rising nationalism. When his safety is threatened, he plans an hazardous escape. Directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Pasha Talankin, this powerful and intimate film exposes the human cost of Putin’s war from inside Russia.
Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, 90 min, 2025
Festival: SUNDANCE film festival – World premiere
Production: Made in Copenaghen, co-production Pink
Country of film: Russia
Director: David Borenstein, Pavel Talankin
Writer: David Borenstein
Director of Photography: Pavel Talankin
Editor: Nicolaj Monberg, Rebecca Lønqvist
Sound: Peter Schultz, Kevin Bavnhøj, Teis Syvsig
Music: Michal Rataj
David Borenstein is a filmmaker based in Copenaghen. His award-winning films include Can’t Feel Nothing (CPH: DOX 2024), Love Factory (NYTimes 2021) andDream Empire (IDFA 2016). In addition to his feature work, David has produce and directed television for countless international broadcasters, earning him the broadcast equivalent of the Pultizer Prize
Until recently, Pavel Talankin was a teacher and organiser at Primary School No. 1 in Karabash, Russia. As part of his job, he was the school’s videographer and taught children how to shoot and edit videos. Mr. Nobody Against Putin is his first film. He now lives in Europe.
