Trending Now - Documentary on Russian Teacher's Anti-war Stance Wins Oscar

WHO:

Pavel Talankin, protagonist and co-director of "Mr. Nobody Against Putin"

David Borenstein, American director and co-director of "Mr. Nobody Against Putin"

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman

Gloria Cazares, mother of Jacklyn Cazares, who was memorialized in the documentary short "All the Empty Rooms"

WHAT:

"Mr. Nobody Against Putin" won the Oscar for best documentary feature on March 15th, 2026

The film critiques the Russian government's propaganda and patriotism program for youth following the invasion of Ukraine

Talankin smuggled hard drives out of Russia to collaborate with Borenstein

The film won the British Academy Film Award prior to the Oscars

The Oscar win was considered an upset over "The Perfect Neighbor," directed by Geeta Gandbhir

The Oscar for documentary short went to "All the Empty Rooms"

WHERE:

The film was produced in Russia and distributed by Apple TV

Talankin worked at Karabash Elementary in Russia

Borenstein is based in Copenhagen, Denmark

WHEN:

The documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2025

The war in Ukraine began in 2022

The Oscar ceremony took place on March 15th, 2026

WHY:

Talankin opposed the war in Ukraine and the indoctrination of students with state propaganda

Talankin felt he had no moral right to delete evidence of the propaganda being taught in schools

HOW:

Talankin recorded pro-war assemblies and other activities at his school to document the indoctrination

He played "The Star-Spangled Banner" instead of Russia's anthem on the school's P.A. system as an act of rebellion

Talankin escaped Russia by booking a fake holiday to Turkey

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 13:24 UTC)

"Mr. Nobody Against Putin" won the Oscar for best documentary feature at the ceremony held on March 15, 2026, marking a significant upset over "The Perfect Neighbor." Co-directors Pavel Talankin and David Borenstein created the film to critique the Russian government's propaganda aimed at youth following the invasion of Ukraine, with Talankin smuggling hard drives out of Russia to collaborate with Borenstein. Additionally, the Oscar for documentary short went to "All the Empty Rooms," which honors the memory of Jacklyn Cazares, whose mother, Gloria Cazares, was present at the event.