Three young women face seven years in a Russian prison for a satirical performance in a Moscow cathedral. But who is really on trial in a case that has gripped the nation and the world beyond, three young artists or the society they live in?
Not the most talented rockers, but certainly the most courageous.
The film provides a chilling and sometimes comic insight into the Kafka-esque Russian legal system while exposing the deep fissures in President Putin's society.
Naive they may be, but they have courage – certainly compared to the swaggering, hatchet-faced male bullies ranged against them.
It’s really the way these young, articulate idealists hold true to their beliefs after they’re arrested that’s startling to watch. With the eyes of the world upon them, they never miss a chance to highlight the absurdity of a system that seeks to silence them – even when facing lengthy prison sentences.
A Punk Prayer is propaganda that leaves you in no doubt which hymn book you're supposed to sing from. But it's also smart and modulated, with attention given to the broader cultural background, and a platform offered to the rioters' detractors.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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