Through candid classroom recordings, a Russian teacher risks everything to expose how his government turns schools into propaganda factories. Winning the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award at Sundance 2025, Mr. Nobody Against Putin is a David-and-Goliath battle for the soul of Russia and its next generation.
Pavel ‘Pasha’ Talankin loves his job as a teacher in the small Russian town of Karabash – until his country invades Ukraine. He is outraged by the new government propaganda in the curriculum, not to mention the school being used as a military recruitment ground. In class he finds ways to playfully protest the regime. Outside it he becomes a whistleblower, secretly filming the alarming, and sometimes absurd, shifts under the guise of his work as the school’s videographer. He risks his life to send the footage overseas to Copenhagen-based American filmmaker David Borenstein – while realising that his own escape will become a necessity.
A powerful exposé on how Putin’s propaganda grooms the troops of the future, Pavel Talankin and David Borenstein’s hugely daring and noble collaboration is as poignant and personal as it’s shocking. Mr. Nobody Against Putin is one of the great documentary sensations of the year.
Getting Here and Getting In:
Parking at UWA is free after 5pm. We recommend car parks 1 and 5: check this map.
Allow time for parking: UWA hosts many events and sometimes it takes a little longer to find a space.
Doors open at 6pm. In 2026 the box office will be cashless.
Food and Drink
The pay-bar offers wines, beers, soft and hot drinks, along with chips, chocolate and, importantly, ice creams!
The Somerville Auditorium is also a BYO venue: bring your own picnic and favourite tipple.
We have many picnic tables and grassed areas.
Pre-ordering your gourmet pizza is crucial: order here.
Enjoying your film
The film starts at 8pm until 1 March 2026. From 2 March 2026 the film starts at 7.30pm.
Cushions courtesy of Lotterywest are available.
Seats are not assigned: on your arrival you can reserve a seat with a rug or cushion. Please don't leave single seat gaps.
We have plenty of seating, please do not bring your own.
There are four locations suitable for wheelchair users - please speak to a staff member on your arrival.
Nights can soemtimes be cool, so please rug up.
We treat the Auditorium for mosquitoes, but still bring your preferred mozzie spray.
Lost Property
If you've lost something during your night out, you can report it here.
Visit Perth Festival's website for more information.