Government alleges unauthorized use of children’s footage as film faces ban in Russia
WEB DESK: Russia has issued its first official response to the Oscar-winning documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin, accusing its creators of using footage of schoolchildren without parental consent.
According to AFP, the film honored at the Academy Awards offers an unfiltered look at “patriotic” lessons introduced in schools following the invasion of Ukraine. The portrayal has sparked backlash from the Kremlin.
The documentary is a joint project by American filmmaker David Borenstein and Russian videographer Pavel Talankin. Talankin, once hired to document state-backed school activities, secretly recorded classroom sessions supporting Moscow’s military campaign. He later smuggled the footage abroad and fled Russia.
In a statement Wednesday, Russia’s Human Rights Council alleged that “images of minors were used without obtaining parental consent,” claiming the recordings were meant strictly for internal use. Officials further accused the filmmakers of misusing the material for commercial purposes.
The filmmakers have not publicly responded to the allegations. Meanwhile, the documentary remains banned in Russia, underscoring the government’s tightening control over narratives related to the war.
Despite the controversy, the film’s international recognition highlights growing global scrutiny of Russia’s domestic messaging amid the ongoing conflict.
About The Author
