There are thousands of teacher-videographers in Russia. Each of them is documenting the militarization of children’s minds amid the war in Ukraine. But only Pavel Talankin, the author of the film “Mr. Nobody Against Putin,” came up with the idea of turning this footage into an anti-war manifesto and an exposé of propaganda in schools. Why? Vitaly Mansky tried to find the answer in his DW project “Real Cinema” — while also helping Pavel buy a pair of trousers for the Oscars ceremony.

Pavel “Pasha” Talankin is an unlikely hero—a beloved Russian primary school teacher, known as a mentor and prankster who offers students a safe haven in his office. As Russia launches its full-scale invasion of 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 Pavel 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.