Pasha Talankin is an unlikely hero, a beloved Russian primary school teacher, known as a mentor and prankster who offers students a safe haven in his office. But when Russia invades Ukraine, his role shifts dramatically. Forced to spread Kremlin propaganda, Pasha secretly begins filming the regime’s grip on everyday life, militarised youth groups, rising nationalism, and the recruitment of students for war.
As his conscience deepens and the risk grows, he becomes an international whistleblower, planning a daring escape. Co-directed with David Borenstein, this gripping and emotional film reveals the human cost of Putin’s regime, and the courage it takes to resist it.
