The William and Anita Newman Library at Baruch College is pleased to host film maker David Borenstein for a screening and discussion of his 2026 Oscar winning film for Best Documentary Feature, “Mr Nobody Against Putin.” Following the film will be a discussion with the directors David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin, led by Roy Ackerman (Baruch College). The screening will be held at the Engleman Recital Hall in the Baruch Performing Art Center on Friday April 24, 2026 at 3:00 pm.
The film tells the story of Pasha Talankin, a beloved Russian primary school teacher, known as a mentor and prankster who offers students a safe haven in his office. After Russia invades Ukraine, Pasha’s role in the school changes dramatically as he is reluctantly drawn into Putin’s propaganda machine. Forced to promote state-sanctioned messages and horrified by the transformation of his school and community, he struggles with guilt and a sense of powerlessness, leading him to become an international whistleblower. As the school’s videographer, Pasha documents intimate and revealing footage of Putin’s regime, capturing the rise of militarized children’s groups, repressive laws, fervent nationalism, and the recruitment of graduating students to fight in the war.
We are excited to engage with the wider community and showcase resources from the library’s collection.
