Khodorkovsky, the richest Russian, challenges President Putin. A fight of the titans begins. Putin warns him. But Khodorkovsky comes back to Russia knowing that he will be imprisoned, once he returns. When I heard about it, I asked myself: why didn't he stay in exile with a couple of billions? Why did he do that? A personal journey to Khodorkovsky.
[Fails] to secure contributions of great significance, let alone clarify basic issues of guilt or innocence.
A documentary that takes fewer prisoners than Putin's KGB, Tuschi's study of Russian power politics is smart, scary and sobering.
Detailed and absorbing.
This film couldn't be more timely or more trenchant.
This film is a commanding insight into Putin's Russia.
An astonishing tale told with flair.
The plight of a one-time oil billionaire is probably not an instant cause for sympathy, but Tuschi has made a persuasive case for his subject as a shady businessman turned political prisoner.
Tuschi paints a complex portrait of corrupted power.
The German director Cyril Tuschi's sober documentary gives a lucid account of the events preceding and following the arrest, features frank, informative interviews (including one with Khodorkovsky after his second trial) and raises some important questions.
This film does more than just expose the fear and dishonesty behind Kremlin politics, it questions whether human rights apply to the richest industrial capitalists, no matter how much we may hate them.
Edged with cynicism and wit, Tuschi’s film can’t hide its admiration – but real answers lurk tantalisingly out of reach.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Tuesday April 10, 2012, until Thursday April 12, 2012. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/
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