“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” Wins Best Documentary Oscar

The documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin, directed by David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin, has been awarded the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026. The film chronicles the experiences of Pavel Talankin, a Russian teacher who documented the impact of war propaganda within the Russian school system following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Czech Producers Honored

Czech producers Radovan Síbrt and Alžběta Karásková, who participated in the film’s creation, were likewise recognized with the award. The Czech Ministry of Culture congratulated the team on Facebook, praising their representation of the Czech Republic. President Petr Pavel also extended congratulations, highlighting Talankin’s courage in bringing forth “impressive testimony” of Russia’s wartime propaganda efforts. Martin Kupka, chairman of the ODS, stated that “Mr. Nobody has done a lot of function to expose Putin’s lies.”

The Film’s Genesis and Content

Over a period of two years, Pavel Talankin, a videographer and events coordinator at Karabash Primary School #1 in the Ural Mountains, secretly filmed the transformation of his school into a center for wartime propaganda. He was tasked with implementing a new wartime education plan, including special lessons and propaganda events, and was initially required to document these activities for the Ministry of Education. Talankin chose to continue filming beyond these mandated activities, capturing a broader picture of life within the school and the surrounding community.

International Recognition

Mr. Nobody Against Putin previously won the BAFTA Award for Best Feature Documentary in 2026. It premiered at the World Cinema Documentary section of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it received the Special Jury Award. The film is a Danish-Czech co-production, created in collaboration between Made in Copenhagen and PINK. Czech involvement included key audio and visual post-production work, as well as ensuring the safety of the film’s protagonist.

Political Reactions

Reactions to the film’s Oscar win were varied within the Czech political landscape. Some politicians, like Martin Dvořák, noted the silence from figures such as Andrej Babiš and Tomio Okamura. Okamura stated he had not seen the film but would look into its content online. Vachatová, an advisor for freedom of speech, had previously described the film as anti-Russian.

Box Office Success

As of January 2025, the film had grossed $613,654 worldwide.

About the Filmmakers

David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin co-directed Mr. Nobody Against Putin. The film features archive footage of Viktor Abakumov, Lavrenti Beria, Yevhen Konovalets, Vladimir Putin, and Joseph Stalin.