Movie review
June 6, 2025 · 90 min · PG-13 · Danish
Woke Score
Lower is better
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Mr. Nobody Against Putin.
Woke representation / casting
Real Russian participants in a straightforward documentary; zero diversity emphasis or swaps.
Woke political dialogue
Recurring state propaganda scripts and "patriotic education" form the narrative backbone.
Identity-driven story themes
None present—no gender, race, LGBTQ, or representation focus.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Core engine is exposing regime control of schools and youth indoctrination.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant (original documentary, no source material changes).
Review
This 2025 Oscar-winning documentary follows Russian teacher Pavel "Pasha" Talankin as he secretly films his small-town school turning into a propaganda and war-recruitment machine after the 2022 Ukraine invasion. The entire story revolves around state-mandated patriotic events, militarized kids' groups, and the ethical bind of teachers pushing regime lies. It's built as an activist whistleblower tale exposing institutional brainwashing, with heavy political messaging about complicity and resistance. No gender, race, or identity politics appear—it's straight institutional critique of authoritarian control.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Zero backlash claiming "too woke" or forced identity politics; controversy is Russia banning it.
Creator track record context
Borenstein's prior work shows pattern of political docs in authoritarian contexts, adding mild weight here.
Production
