The UT San Antonio Russian Program and Department of Modern Languages and Literatures welcomes you to a screening of Mr. Nobody Against Vladimir Putin, the 2026 Academy Award Winner for Best Documentary Feature. This riveting first-person exposé of Russia's wartime student indoctrination program is told through the eyes of a small-town primary school teacher who dared to challenge the program and expose the truth.

Pavel “Pasha” Talankin is a beloved Russian primary school teacher, known as a mentor and prankster who offers students a safe haven in his office. After Russia invades Ukraine, Pasha’s role in the school changes dramatically as he is reluctantly drawn into Putin’s propaganda machine. Forced to promote state-sanctioned messages and horrified by the transformation of his school and community, he struggles with guilt and a sense of powerlessness, leading him to become an international whistleblower. As the school’s videographer, Pasha documents intimate and revealing footage of Putin’s regime, capturing the rise of militarized children’s groups, repressive laws, fervent nationalism, and the recruitment of graduating students to fight in the war. When he learns his own life may be at risk, Pasha is forced to plan a dangerous escape from Russia.

Directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Talankin, this uniquely collaborative film is as captivating and joyful as it is eye-opening and sobering. Mr. Nobody Against Putin showcases rare footage that reveals the profound impact of Putin’s regime on the lives of everyday Russians, particularly its children.

Language: In Russian with English subtitles.

Runtime: 90 minutes with introduction by Andrew Chapman, Director of UT San Antonio Russian Program.

Location: McKinney Humanities Building 2.01.12 - Academic Classroom - Lecture Hall

This event is co-sponsored by the UT San Antonio Honors College and funded through a grant from UT San Antonio Libraries.

This event is open to the public.