“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” Wins Best Documentary at 98th Academy Awards

The documentary “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” won the Best Documentary Feature award at the 98th Academy Awards.

The film is critical of the Kremlin and highlights how propaganda is used to influence young people in Russia.

This is the third documentary critical of the Kremlin to win an Oscar in four years, after Navalny (2023) and 20 Days in Mariupol (2024).

What is the story about?

The documentary tells the story of Pavel “Pasha” Talankin, a school teacher and videographer from the Russian mining town of Karabash.

He was assigned by authorities to film patriotic school activities and war-related lessons for official records.

However, instead of producing propaganda, he secretly recorded how students were being influenced and indoctrinated by state messaging.

Talankin later smuggled his hard drives out of Russia and completed the documentary while living in exile in Europe.

Who directed the film?

The film was directed by:

David Borenstein

Pavel Talankin

Talankin also appears in the film as the main character documenting the events.

Message during the acceptance speech

During the Oscar ceremony, Talankin delivered a strong message about peace.

“In the name of our future, in the name of all of our children, stop all of these wars now.”

Co-director Borenstein said the documentary shows how countries can slowly lose freedom through small acts of silence and complicity.

Other Major Winners at the 98th Academy Awards

• Best Picture:

        One Battle After Another

• Best Director:

        Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another

• Best Actor:

        Michael B. Jordan – Sinners

• Best Actress:

         Jessie Buckley – Hamnet

• Best Supporting Actor:

          Sean Penn – One Battle After Another

• Best Supporting Actress:

        Amy Madigan – Weapons

• Best Animated Feature:

         KPop Demon Hunters

Key Highlights of the Night

Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win Best Cinematography for Sinners.

Michael B. Jordan won his first Oscar.

The Academy introduced a new category – Best Casting, won by Cassandra Kulukundis for One Battle After Another.