❓An elementary school teacher secretly exposes Putin’s aggressive militarization of education in Russia — in one of the most talked-about documentaries of the year.

When Russia invades Ukraine in 2022, the state introduces a new curriculum almost overnight: its goal is to turn schools into patriotic training grounds and, eventually, military recruitment centers. State ideology and militarization enter the classroom, while independent, critical thinking is pushed out.

This creates an unexpected opportunity for Pavel “Pasha” Talankin, a teacher and videographer at a small-town Russian primary school: he begins documenting how propaganda seeps into the classroom.

Beloved by his students, the young teacher is passionate about his work — but the changes push him to the brink of resignation. Instead, after seeing a casting call for a documentary film, he starts filming school events: officially for the authorities, but in truth, for the outside world.

Before our eyes, we see how an authoritarian regime reshapes the minds of its youngest citizens — how something as seemingly innocent as a history lesson can become the stage for state-sponsored propaganda.

🏆 The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award.

Since then, it has received accolades at international festivals such as Göteborg, CPH:DOX, One World, and Movies that Matter — and now it arrives in Hungary for a special premiere screening.

🎤 Following the film, there will be a live Q&A with director David Borenstein, who returns to Pont Csopak after last year’s premiere of Can't Feel Nothing.

🌙 PROGRAMME:

18:00 – Russian-inspired culinary experience by Mátyás Huszár

19:00 – Russian literary performance

21:00 – Mr. Nobody Against Putin (2025) – premiere screening

22:30 – Discussion with director David Borenstein

✨ What is Pont Csopak?

Pont Csopak is a unique screening event series held in the fairytale-like garden of the Plul Mill, where you can watch brand-new festival hits from the international circuit. But it’s more than just an open-air cinema, the events include talks, concerts and lectures inspired by the themes of the films, creating a truly unique cultural experience.

☄️ Ticket Prices:

Available online or on-site (cash and card accepted)

General admission: 3000 HUF

Discounted (students, seniors, residents of Csopak): 2500 HUF

🌓 Date: May 31, 2025

🌓 Venue: 8229 Csopak, Kisfaludy u. 16. (Plul Malom)

🌓 Parking: Csonkatorony

🌓 Please do not bring food or drinks into the event area.

🌓 Dog-friendly event!

🌓 Supported by: National Film Institute, National Cultural Fund, Municipality of Csopak