Sundance 2025: Mr. Nobody Against Putin & 2000 Meters to Andriivka

These two documentaries take place around the same time and on opposite ends of the Russian-Ukrainian war. One shows the bravery and determination of one teacher in Russia out to show the world what’s really happening in their schools. The other is an immersive, gritty recounting of Ukrainian soldiers fiercely battling to reclaim a village from Russian control. Both are powerful, gripping films that must be viewed in today’s climate.

Mr. Nobody Against Putin (David Borenstein and Pavel Ilyich Talankin)

Pavel works as an event coordinator and videographer at a primary school in Karabash, Russia. He’s liked by the students and fellow teachers, even bringing flowers to the librarian on her birthday (his mom). One day, as Vladimir Putin declares a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the order comes down to the schools that they must implement a “patriotic curriculum.” Students will learn songs and poems to inspire Russia to victory, and the teachers teach lessons more aligned with the government’s agenda. All the while, Pavel is instructed to record all of the school’s major events and demonstrations as well as lessons to use for propaganda.

Some teachers struggle, while others give the lessons with an uncomfortable amount of nationalist fervor.  Then people come to the school and teach the kids about landmines and guns, and soon the kids are given scripts to read from as well as the teachers. As the orders get stricter and treason laws are enacted, Pavel becomes more emboldened in his quest to show the world what is truly happening to the children of Russia. He risks his freedom and possibly even his life to make sure this footage gets out, and it’s a riveting exposé of state-mandated nationalism as well as the kind of patriotism needed to be willing to speak out in an attempt to better things for your town and your people.

2000 Meters to Andriivka (Mstyslav Chernov)

On the other side of the conflict, Mstyslav Chernov is following Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade. This harrowing documentary, made more personal by the use of helmet cameras, chronicles their mission to liberate the village of Andriivka from Russian occupation. To get there, they need to traverse 2,000 meters of a thin strip of decimated forest, approximately 1.3 miles, flanked by minefields on either side. Between extended scenes of graphic, hellish combat, we witness moments of young men teasing each other about their rival colleges, or fathers who are reluctant to be on camera because they “haven’t done anything yet.” Day by day, as they claw and scrape for every meter of advancement, the men wonder if anything will come from this. Will this war ever see an end?

Chernov’s previous film, 20 Days in Mariupol, earned him an Oscar and a Pulitzer among many other accolades, and it’s doubtless that he’ll be in the running for them again. From your first moment in the trenches, you’ll never look away from the carnage of combat, the heartbreak of a community who grieves yet another fallen son, or the brief moments of hope as a soldier waves the Ukrainian flag or saves a kitten from the rubble. There is no levity, no reprieve from the tension or the tears that come as we helplessly watch them fight, and sometimes die, for their freedom. 2000 Meters is a powerful film from a brave team, and I believe it will be counted among the works shown in history classes decades from now when they talk about this time.

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