Navalny (2022)

 ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Navalny (2022) – D. Roher

Of course, it is a terrifying tale taken straight from today’s news, and all the more impactful for that reason. Alexei Navalny, Russia’s opposition leader, was poisoned in 2020 and this documentary shows the unfolding events and subsequent investigation (which point straight to the FSB and Putin) with involvement by Navalny himself and access to his family, colleagues, etc. Filmmaker Daniel Roher manages to create suspense, outrage, and sympathy through some well-chosen footage, solid editing, music, etc. -- it’s the complete package (and if it was supporting a different viewpoint, we might call it propaganda)  Only occasionally do the filmmakers question Navalny about his views (he once joined a rally with neo-Nazi leanings) and you do have to wonder (not if he’s better than Putin, just about what he stands for beyond being against this dictator). He suggests that Russian politics are at a primitive stage, still arguing about the need for human rights, fair elections, etc., and that sounds about right. He’s a young charismatic guy with a loving family and a good sense of humour. I don’t think it gives anything away to reveal the downbeat ending – Navalny was arrested and placed in jail after returning to Russia and he’s still there.  The fact that Putin is still in power after his brazen attempt to assassinate, censor, and unjustly imprison Navalny is the even bigger shock.  Obviously, the war in Ukraine has suggested even further that he feels above the law and is either evil or insane or both.