'Putin's Witnesses' is an unprecedentedly close portrait of the President of Russia and those who ensured his presidency. There are videos from the private archive of the Mansky's family and footage shot at the turn of the 21st century when the current political elite of Russia was formed. At that period, Vitaly Mansky made several films that allowed him to enter the off-stage of the state politics. Those were films about Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin and life inside the Kremlin. The previously unrevealed footage shows the most crucial transition in the recent history of Russia. The documentary testimonies tell about the events which followed the unexpected resignation of the Russia’s president Boris Yeltsin and the start of ‘Operation Successor’ that brought Vladimir Putin to the throne of power.
When asked about the significance of this film, the director gives the following answer: “My testimony is important not only for the Russian society, as it must start the process of liberation from an advanced disease, but also for other countries – to prevent them from losing their freedom. This film calls to look back on and reflect upon the portrayed process of change as cinema is like a mirror allowing us not only to look at ourselves here and now, but also in a historical perspective.”
Sonora Broka, the creative director of the RIGA IFF, characterizes the topicality of this film as sadly paradoxical, taking into account that its footage was made almost 20 years ago. 'Putin's Witnesses' is an opportunity to land in the segment of time when a new, frightening era commenced. An era that continues to cast its shadows over us.
The pdf versions of the press releases in English, Latvian and Russian, images and the film's trailer can be downloaded from our Google Drive. Film's trailer can also be watched on Youtube.
More info about the screening: Facebook or on the festival websiterigaiff.lv.
