Shocking Inside Look at Russian Schools Turning Kids into Soldiers

by

This courageous documentary, giving an unnerving behind-the-scenes look, captures the startling indoctrination process in a school during the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin’s eye-catching documentary titled “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” provides a chilling, up-close examination of the gradual militarization of Russian schools during the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The film unfolds in the small, environmentally damaged town of Karabash, where it documents the evolution of Pavel Talankin’s school from a typical educational institution into a center for military indoctrination under President Vladimir Putin’s revitalized youth programs.

The captivating nature of “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” is due to Talankin’s distinctive perspective. As the school’s videographer, he had an open invitation to daily school activities, which made it easy for him to switch to recording the growing influence of military teachings in the curriculum. He moves freely, witnessing every school scenario without any initial bias. However, as the documentary unfolds, Talankin’s anti-war views gradually become evident in his work, creating a widening rift with his previously admired students, who are wary of any connection to anything deemed anti-Putin. This leads to a sense of isolation from fellow teachers.

It’s surprising that Talankin was given so much freedom, considering his strategic efforts to defuse and undermine Russian propaganda. This undercover activist and political dissident subtly echoes the quiet resistance of many protesters, working within the system. The documentary brilliantly portrays the disconcerting tension between innocence being corrupted and reprogrammed, as childhood transitions into war readiness and an attempt to normalize the conflict. The grim setting of Karabash, one of the most polluted places on Earth with a tragically low life expectancy, intensifies this uneasy feeling of indoctrination, preying on a young person with limited opportunities.

“Because my motherland said so…”

Titled “Mr. Nobody Versus Putin“, this documentary primarily features video clips taken within the school, but also seeks out tales of young recruits preparing for war, along with a heartfelt graduation and farewell ceremony. Working discreetly, Talankin sometimes senses being watched, yet remarkably stays hidden from view, effectively becoming an unobtrusive observer. He intersperses these insights with personal interview footage, sharing his thoughts on the situation and his role, thereby serving as a storyteller to lead the narrative.

This project by Talankin is remarkably bold. His work offers a stark, uncensored depiction of how military actions affected children, teachers, and parents, and the intense, confrontational propaganda that was targeted at them. The film, Mr. Nobody Against Putin, mirrors the setting of Hollywoodgate, where a filmmaker navigates among his subjects with caution but without bias. Despite some narrow escapes, Talankin manages to seize a pivotal moment in history, always under the looming threat of vanishing or being arrested by the government due to his anti-war stance and his covert attempts to resist the indoctrination of the school and its students.

The bottom line: Intrepid

Read More

2025-06-06 14:44