Kino Lorber Acquires North American Rights to Oscars® Shortlisted Doc 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin'
“An endearing, infuriating, and despairing non-fiction portrait of a country’s final descent
into oppressive authoritarianism, all of it shot covertly by one brave teacher,
it’s a striking work of rebel cinema.”
– Nick Schager, The Daily Beast
“Through the eyes of its delightfully brave, yet utterly relatable subject (also the de facto cinematographer), this terrifying, revelatory and poignant exposé offers an
unseen human angle on an ongoing conflict.”
– Carlos Aguilar, Variety
“A cross between School of Rock and Nineteen Eighty-Four, a surprisingly funny study of how authoritarian regimes break the spirit of all except the most unlikely.”
– Helen Rumbelow, The Times
Kino Lorber has acquired North American distribution rights to David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin’s award-winning documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin from international sales agent DR Sales. A daring work of nonfiction cinema that offers a rare glimpse inside Russia, the film made its World Premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it was awarded the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award, and has gone on to screen at film festivals around the world including DOC NYC, CPH:DOX, and Sheffield Doc Fest. The film is one of 15 selected for this year’s Oscars® Shortlist for Best Documentary Feature Film. Mr. Nobody Against Putin will be released by Kino Lorber in select theaters and streaming on the Kino Film Collection beginning January 22, with an educational and home video release to follow.
Pavel “Pasha” Talankin is a beloved Russian primary school teacher, known as a mentor and prankster who offers students a safe haven in his office. After Russia invades Ukraine, Pasha’s role in the school changes dramatically as he is reluctantly drawn into Putin’s propaganda machine. Forced to promote state-sanctioned messages and horrified by the transformation of his school and community, he struggles with guilt and a sense of powerlessness, leading him to become an international whistleblower. As the school’s videographer, Pasha documents intimate and revealing footage of Putin’s regime, capturing the rise of militarized children’s groups, repressive laws, fervent nationalism, and the recruitment of graduating students to fight in the war. When he learns his own life may be at risk, Pasha is forced to plan a dangerous escape from Russia.
Directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Talankin, this uniquely collaborative film is as captivating and joyful as it is eye-opening and sobering. Mr. Nobody Against Putin showcases rare footage that reveals the profound impact of Putin’s regime on the lives of everyday Russians, particularly its children.
The deal for Mr. Nobody Against Putin was negotiated by Kino Lorber VP of Acquisitions Karoliina Dwyer and DR Sales’ Senior Sales & Acquisitions Executive Freja Johanne Nørgaard Sørensen.
“Pavel Talankin risked everything to bring this footage into the open. I’m grateful to Kino Lorber for helping us share it across North America, because the questions the film raises aren’t confined to Russia,” said director David Borenstein.
"Mr. Nobody Against Putin first caught our eye at its Sundance premiere last year, where our team was both gripped and charmed by Pasha Talankin's stunning bravery, unwavering determination, and quick wit in the face of a truly daunting adversary," said Lisa Schwartz, Chief Distribution and Revenue Officer for Kino Lorber. "Now more than ever, speaking the truth in this era of disinformation has become critically important. We're honored to partner with David, Pasha, and DR Sales to bring this remarkable work of nonfiction to North American audiences."
Mr. Nobody Against Putin is a made in copenhagen production in Denmark in co-production with PINK in Czech Republic. The film is directed by David Borenstein, co-directed by Pavel Talankin, and produced by Helle Faber, Radovan Síbrt, and Alžběta Karásková.