Pavel Talankin: Hollywood's Unexpected Hero Against Putin

The Unlikely Oscar Nominee

Pavel Talankin had never stepped outside Russia until he went into exile in the summer of 2024, abandoning his home in the Ural mountains for his safety after speaking out against President Putin's authoritarian regime. In less than two years, he transformed from an events coordinator at a local school to a celebrated filmmaker, gaining international acclaim for his documentary, Mr Nobody Against Putin, which won the Bafta for Best Documentary and is now vying for an Oscar.

From Karabash to Hollywood

Talankin's rise is as dramatic as his story. Known as Pasha, he initially documented school performances in one of the most polluted towns on Earth. However, the landscape changed dramatically after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Pasha, armed with nothing but a camera and his ideals, became an insider documenting the troubling nature of the regime's indoctrination of schoolchildren.

“Pasha obviously has used humour as a way of coping with what was happening around him,” says David Borenstein, his co-director, encapsulating the blend of levity and gravity that defines the film.

A Film with Courage

Many activists use their voices to denounce regimes; Talankin chose a camera. He exhibited extraordinary bravery by rebelling against Kremlin dictates that compelled teachers to perpetuate propaganda narratives. Despite the risks, he sent footage to Borenstein documenting how the government transformed schools into militaristic training grounds, peppering patriotism into every facet of school life. “At one point, I realised I was being a monitor for the teachers,” he revealed. “They knew I'd be filming, pushing them to speak as instructed.”

• Talankin's film captures the duality of humor amidst horror—a vital coping mechanism.
• Returning to Karabash, he finds the community transformed, with shuttered classrooms and diminished teachers.
• He hopes his film inspires like-minded Russians to understand they are not alone in their discontent.

Against Tyranny

It's easy to see Pasha as an unlikely hero. He's just a guy from the Ural Mountains who wanted to make films about his students. Yet here he is, standing against a regime that treats dissenters with brutal force. On the day I met him in a sunlit corner of Santa Monica, he shared the tragic news of a former student's death in the Ukraine war. This somber revelation underscores the weight of his mission and the gravity of his plight.

“Today I found out one of my students died. Nineteen years old, killed in Ukraine,” he said, an emotional heaviness settling over us. “I know him. He is a kind guy and he would never have gone without the propaganda.”

The Struggle and Comedy

The humor in Talankin's approach engages audiences, serving as a therapeutic escape and a tool to critique oppressive systems. Borenstein notes that humor has been a significant aspect of life under authoritarian rule, emphasizing that it has helped foster resilience among citizens. “Soviet jokes are some of the best jokes,” he states, acknowledging how humor serves as a coping mechanism for people living under constant threat.

The Oscar Dream

Talankin's journey to the Oscars is a testament to the potential of documentary filmmaking to spark change. His film is not merely a personal victory but also a beacon of hope to those silenced by oppressive regimes. “If we win, it's going to be their speech,” he said, nodding towards his former students who are crafting the acceptance speech. The emphasis on collective triumph rather than individual glory reveals his commitment to the cause that sparked his journey.

The Road Ahead

As he reflects on the future, Talankin aims to return to Russia to continue his work once the regime falls. Until then, he remains a voice for the voiceless, ensuring that the stories of lost souls do not fade into silence. His humor, bravery, and relentless spirit make him a pivotal figure not just in cinema but in the broader struggle against tyranny.

Mr Nobody Against Putin is currently available on BBC iPlayer, providing an essential perspective on the realities faced by those affected by war and propaganda.