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Teacher Calls Oscar-Winning Russian Filmmaker a ‘Traitor’

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Pavel Talankin, the Russian filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin, has been called a “traitor” by his former teacher. Nina Zabugornova, who taught Talankin as a child in the Chelyabinsk region, criticised his decision to leave Russia and make a documentary exposing how a Russian school promoted support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

The film is based on two years of footage secretly recorded by Talankin while working at a school in the Chelyabinsk region. It documents changes at the school following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, including history lessons and newly introduced patriotic activities that promoted pro-war messaging. Talankin fled Russia in 2024 and has said he wanted to show the world how children were being influenced by state propaganda.

Russia has banned the documentary and designated Talankin as a “foreign agent” in March. Speaking on Russian state television, Zabugornova said she had hoped to watch the film but viewed Talankin’s actions as a betrayal of his homeland. She also blamed herself, saying she wondered whether she had failed to provide him with the lessons that might have prevented what she described as his “betrayal.”

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Oscars 2024: Zelensky hails Ukraine’s first-ever Oscar victory

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President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the historic win of Ukraine’s first-ever Oscar for the documentary “20 Days In Mariupol,” which depicts Russia’s brutal siege of the port city. Zelensky emphasized that the film reveals the truth about Russian terrorism and sheds light on the suffering endured by Mariupol’s residents during the city’s destruction.

Director Mstyslav Chernov, accepting the award for best documentary feature, expressed his honor at being Ukraine’s inaugural Oscar recipient. Despite this recognition, Chernov expressed regret, stating that he wished he had never had to make the film. He mourned the loss of Ukrainian lives due to Russia’s aggression and called for truth to prevail and the memory of Mariupol’s people to endure.

Chernov concluded his speech with the rallying cry “Slava Ukraini!” (Glory to Ukraine!), echoing the sentiment shared by millions of Ukrainians. The film’s victory is celebrated widely on Ukrainian social media, with many considering it a historic achievement. Chernov and his team risked their lives to document Mariupol’s plight, navigating Russian checkpoints to ensure their footage reached the world.

Mariupol, once a thriving port on the Sea of Azov, suffered extensive destruction at the hands of Russian forces. Despite Russia’s claim of “liberation,” the film serves as a poignant reminder of the devastation inflicted upon the city and its people.

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French actress Judith Godrèche accuses director Benoît Jacquot of historical rape

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French prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation following actress Judith Godrèche’s complaint against filmmaker Benoît Jacquot, alleging historical rape. Godrèche, now 51 years old, claims that Jacquot, aged 77, raped her when she was just 14 in 1986, with subsequent offenses occurring during a relationship that extended into the 1990s. The complaint was officially submitted by her lawyer to the Juvenile Protection Brigade in Paris.

Godrèche, who gained recognition for her roles in Jacquot’s films such as “The Beggars” (1987) and “The Disenchanted” (1990), had previously hinted at their relationship in an autobiographical TV program titled “Icon of French Cinema.” Last month, she publicly identified Jacquot on social media after watching a documentary where he discussed his relationship with an adolescent.

In response to the allegations, Jacquot has firmly denied them, as stated in an interview with Le Monde newspaper. He has chosen not to provide further comment, reiterating his stance from the newspaper.

Godrèche, recognized for her performances in films like “The Overnight” (2015) and “The Spanish Apartment” (2002), has a notable career in French cinema. Meanwhile, Jacquot has been directing films since the mid-1970s, with his 2012 film “Farewell, My Queen” premiering at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival.

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