PUTIN’S KISS

PUTIN’S KISS – A FILM BY LISE BIRK PEDERSEN

Putin’s Kiss is a rare insight into the core of Russian democracy “Putin-style”. Nashi is an increasingly popular political youth organization with direct ties to the Kremlin. Officially, its goal is to support the current political system – but its agenda is also to keep the political opposition from spreading their views among the Russians.

We meet 19-year-old Masha, a Nashi commissar and spokesperson, who joined the movement at 15 and rose to the very top, becoming the protégé of Russia’s Minister of Youth. When she is up for election within Nashi and loses to a candidate whose program is called “fighting the enemies of Russia”, she starts questioning her role in the movement for the first time.

She meets people with other political views, including the journalist Oleg Kashin. Although they passionately disagree, they become close friends – and when “unknown perpetrators” attack Oleg Kashin, Masha realizes that she has to make a stand.

Watch a clip on YouTube. Cinematography by Lars Skree. See more documentary work and awards.