A look at a Russian opposition leader after a murder attempt, “Navalny,” received the Oscar for best documentary feature on Sunday night.
Alexei Navalny’s portrayal by director Daniel Roher features shady agents, investigative journalists, conspiracy theories, and poisons from the Soviet era. This movie clearly has political undertones in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
When receiving his statuette, Roher expressed his gratitude to Navalny and all political prisoners around the globe. “Alexei, the world has not forgotten the importance of your message to us all: We must not be scared to stand up against autocrats and tyranny wherever it manifests itself. Yulia, Navalny’s wife, remarked: “Alexei, I dream of the day when you and our nation will be free. Keep going, my darling.
With the exception of a few late jokes by host Jimmy Kimmel, including one that zinged Rep. George Santos, the annual Oscars were largely free of politics.
Navalny has caused Russian President Vladimir Putin trouble for a long time. He has published numerous reports critical of Putin’s administration and Russian corruption, and he has gained support among Russians who share his views.
During Navalny’s brief stay in Berlin in 2020 and the beginning of 2021, when he was recuperating from being poisoned and looking for the truth about the botched murder attempt, Roher was able to sit down with Navalny. The harshest opponent of the Kremlin, according to the media, is Navalny. And despite the harassment and arrests he has faced, he seems unfazed.
The movie was well-received at the Sundance Film Festival, where it took home the festival favourite and documentary audience awards.