Pavel Talankin, a former teacher in Karabash, Russia, has won a Bafta for his documentary 'Mr Nobody Against Putin', which exposes the Kremlin's indoctrination of primary schoolchildren. The film, tipped for an Oscar, shows how patriotic education programmes mould pupils into supporters of President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine.
Talankin spent two-and-a-half years secretly filming at Karabash School No 1, where grenade-throwing contests replaced PE and 'denazification' speeches became homework. The footage, smuggled out of Russia, reveals children initially bored but gradually absorbing propaganda, including visits from Wagner mercenaries teaching mine identification.
The documentary highlights the negative impact on education, with grades dropping due to time spent on patriotism classes. The head teacher admitted she would be sacked if she stopped teaching the material. Talankin, now in exile, hopes the film will help Russians understand the propaganda's effects.
Russian state media ignored the Bafta win, but pirated copies circulate in Karabash. Talankin said: 'The state spends a lot of money on propaganda; they wouldn’t bother if it didn’t work.' The film is nominated for an Oscar later this month.
