In a remote Russian mining town, a primary school teacher covertly documents the state’s transformation of classrooms into recruitment grounds for war. Tasked with filming “patriotic education” sessions, he turns the lens on the indoctrination of youth, capturing moments of coerced loyalty and silent dissent. This intimate documentary offers a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the erosion of truth and the resilience of those who dare to resist, even at great personal cost.
Official Danish Academy Award submission, Best International Film
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with directors David Borenstein and Pavel (Pasha) Talankin, producer Helle Faber, and executive producers Radovan Sibrt and Alzbeta Karaskova.
All in-person screening venues provide sound amplification headphones upon request with venue management. IFC Center can also provide a T-Coil loop for compatible devices.
Director: David Borenstein, Pasha Talankin
Producer: Helle Faber
Executive Producer: Radovan Síbrt, Alžbeta Karásková, Petra Dobešová
Cinematographer: Pavel Talankin
Editor: Nicolaj Monberg, Rebekka Lønqvist
Composer: Michal Rataj, Jonas Struck
Language: Russian
Year: 2025
