Introducing several documentaries on the subject of Vladimir Putin
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has once again put the character of Vladimir Putin and his view of world politics in the spotlight. Here are six of the best documentaries that will make us more familiar with this influential political figure.
Theater News Base: Vladimir Putin has undoubtedly been one of the most influential politicians in the world in the 21st century; He is the leader of one of the world’s largest military powers and has led Russia since the beginning of the 21st century (there is no doubt that Putin was in power even during Medvedev’s presidency).
At the same time, he has always been a mysterious figure, and there are many questions in the world’s public opinion about his personality, how he achieved power, and his plans for the future of Russia and the world. Over the years, many Putin-centric documentaries have been made, each attempting to answer some of the questions about this influential figure in world politics. Here are six of the best documentaries, each focusing on Putin’s personality, style of governing, and sources of power.
1. Putin; The Story of a Russian Spy (Putin: A Russian Spy Story) (2020)
This three-part documentary series presents a picture of Putin’s entire career and political activities, and depicts how he gained power and his influence on Russian and world politics. Many people have talked about Putin in this documentary; From his former colleagues and friends to those who fought against him. One of the most interesting figures in this is Tatiana Yumashieva, the daughter of Boris Yeltsin.
This documentary depicts the various stages of Putin’s rise in the political hierarchy; From how he joined the KGB and his presence in East Germany to his relationship with the mayor of St. Petersburg, his rapprochement with Boris Yeltsin, and his eventual becoming Russia’s first man. One of the most interesting scenes in the film is at the end; In 2000, after Putin was elected President of Russia, Yeltsin called on reporters to congratulate him on his election; But this call does not receive any answer even after an hour and a half of waiting.
۲. A Palace for Putin (2021)
This documentary was made by Alexei Navalny; Critic of government corruption in Russia currently in prison. The documentary claims that the large palace on the Black Sea coast in the city of Glenjik belongs to Putin and that its construction was made possible through political strife, and that belonging to Putin should be considered the greatest bribe in history. In 2022, the second part of this documentary was made, which, while repeating the previous claims, also showed images from inside the palace and provided evidence of the construction of another palace.
The Russian government has consistently denied the allegations, and Putin himself has said in an interview that neither he nor his relatives have anything to do with the palace. No matter what the truth of the matter, there is no conclusive evidence in any of the documentaries (despite being spectacular and well-crafted) to substantiate the allegations.
3. Putin’s Witnesses (2018)
This documentary is a unique and in-depth look at how Putin came to power. The film dates back to 1999; When the Russian people first meet their new president. But then he goes back and examines the causes and factors that led Boris Yeltsin to announce Putin as his interim successor; An event that effectively ousted Yeltsin from power and paved the way for Putin’s official presidency.
The main characters in this film are Mikhail Gorbachev, Yeltsin and Putin. The documentary highlights the details of Putin’s life and political work that may have been less seen, as well as the film’s extensive use of old recorded videos that show the reality of Putin’s relationship with the people around him.
4. Putin, Russia and the West (2011)
This documentary may be a little old, but it is definitely worth a look, because its director, Norma Percy, is one of the most prominent contemporary political documentarians. In his work, Percy deals with the most prominent events and contemporary political crises, from the Iranian Revolution to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the collapse of Yugoslavia from the perspective of the most prominent figures (Hashemi Rafsanjani, Gorbachev, and Slobodan Milosevic).
In the documentary “Putin, Russia and the West”, Percy enters the Kremlin to provide a clear picture of power relations within Russia and Russia’s relationship with the West. Of course, unlike previous documentaries, Percy has not been able to talk to Putin himself (while Putin had previously interviewed Percy in a documentary about Iran, but refused to do so about himself). Nevertheless, Percy was able to talk to people in power in the Kremlin, including the foreign, defense and economy ministers. The most successful parts of this documentary are accurate and fresh accounts of issues such as the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, the war in Georgia, and the nuclear disarmament talks between Russia and the United States.
5. Navalny (2022)
Daniel Rohr made this documentary about Alexei Navalny (one of Putin’s most famous domestic critics). “Navalny” won the Audience Award at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Putin is not directly involved in the documentary, but in fact the whole story is about him. The film’s main theme is Putin’s attempt to assassinate Navalny. According to the allegations in the documentary, in 2020 Putin commissioned a group of Russian agents to pursue Navalny and poison him with Novichuk poison.
Most of the film is devoted to interviewing Navalny himself (before returning to Russia and being imprisoned) and his close associates. Interviewees claim that killing with Novichuk is Putin’s popular way of assassinating dissidents. In this documentary, Navalny also provides evidence for his claim, one of which is a phone call to one of the agents who tried to assassinate him.
6. Who is Mr. Putin? (? Whoismisterputin) (2015)
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