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PARK CITY, Utah — Resistance can take many forms, particularly in film. For Russian school teacher Pavel “Pasha” Talankin, it’s through his camera. He keeps using it no matter what.

“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” depicts Talankin’s fight against Russia’s increasing militarization and propaganda after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While Talankin records propaganda for the government, he takes part in small acts of resistance around his school. Through various thematic and tonal shifts, the film — co-directed by Talankin and David Borenstein — shows how one man’s love for his country leads to resistance against it.

The film opens with Talankin making a harrowing escape from Russia as he tries to take his footage out of his home country. But following this opening sequence, Talankin employs Coen brothers-style narration to humorously describe his town of Karabash, which is one of the most toxic towns in the country due to a copper-smelting plant. This comedic approach is the true shock of “Mr. Nobody.”

Talankin sees the charm in a city where the average life expectancy is 38 years old. He finds joy and beauty in old Soviet apartments and the bitterly cold weather, aspects of a city that would seem undesirable by Western standards.

This love inspires Talankin’s resistance. Fellow Sundance documentaries like “The Librarians” focus on how patriotism can take the form of questioning power and the antagonistic forces at local levels of government. Talankin proudly says he loves his country, but has clear issues with Russian president Vladimir Putin. In Talankin’s office, he put up a white-blue-white flag, a symbol of Russian resistance against the war in Ukraine.

Talankin’s main act of silent rebellion is recording everything that goes on at his school. At first, he was a beloved educator, videographer and events coordinator, before a sharp increase in propaganda and military songs infected the school atmosphere.

Talankin watches as former students and friends of his become ardent supporters of the Kremlin and go off to fight in the war. Even Talankin’s mother goes about her day with resignation toward the conflict, much to his infuriating bewilderment.

As the school’s videographer, Talankin records classroom sessions where children are taught by teachers that are supportive of Russia’s invasion. In one scene, a history teacher and invasion supporter lists his three Soviet heroes. Talankin comedically narrates how this teacher’s heroes murdered thousands in the name of Stalin’s regime.

The humor and tragedy of the film converge in the fact that Talankin still finds humanity in his fellow employees, students and citizens, even as they support a government that he opposes. As the war continues throughout the film, the children of Karabash come back in caskets from combat, and Talankin delves deeper into pain and sadness. One student close to Talankin lost her brother to the war yet still feels increasingly uncomfortable around him due to his political stance.

The documentary balances Talankin’s own feelings; he incorporates shots of school children playing and sitting in class just like their Western counterparts. Talankin humanizes those around him, even though he finds their views abhorrent. The footage he collects demonstrates how much of a corrosive effect state propaganda can have on its citizens. The messages of the state can be anywhere, making brainwashing as normal as sitting through a boring math class.

The battle within Talankin’s self starts to weigh on his psyche, especially as the Russian authorities start to monitor him. He earnestly loves his home, but he’s forced to make the most painful choice of all and leave.

“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” portrays not just the practical and life-threatening challenges of resistance but, crucially, the emotional ones. The film doesn’t offer any concrete answers on how to solve this conundrum, but instead reveals one man’s very personal choice.

Published on January 26, 2025 at 10:02 pm

Contact Henry: henrywobrien1123@gmail.com