Reframing History – Films Exploring how the Past Shapes our Present
MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN
Dänemark, Tschechische Republik 2025 – Director: David Borenstein – Original language: Russian – Subtitles: English – Length: 90 min.
In a small town in Russia, teacher Pasha witnesses how propaganda can take over the classroom. Forced patriotism, weapons training, tales of heroism – the school becomes a platform for ideology. Pasha secretly films how children are drilled for war. When he attracts the attention of the regime, the only option left is to flee – with the explosive material in his luggage. Pablo Bücheler
Biography
David Borenstein is an American journalist and filmmaker. His film DREAM EMPIRE won the main prize in Thessaloniki and opened the DOK.fest Munich 2016. MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN received the Special Jury Award at Sundance 2025.
Pavel (Pasha) Talankin is the protagonist of the film MR NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN. He comes from the town of Karabash in Russia, where he worked as a coordinator of extracurricular activities at a local school. In June 2024, Talankin left Russia and now lives in exile.
Filmography (selection)
CAN`T FEEL NOTHING, DK, 2024, 81 min.
DREAM EMPIRE, DK, 2016, 73 min.
No youth rating
Co-Director: Pavel Talankin. Writer: David Borenstein. Camera: Pavel Talankin. Editing: Nicolaj Monberg, Rebekka Lønqvist. Music: Michal Rataj, Jonas Struck. Production: Made in Copenhagen. Producer: Helle Faber, Radovan Síbrt, Alžběta Karásková, Petra Dobešová. International Sales: DR Sales.
