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PUTIN’S KISS tells the story of Masha, a 19-year-old who grew up in the Putin era, on her journey through the Kremlin-created Nashi youth movement. This coming-of-age tale focuses on Meet 16-year-old Masha Drokova, an ambitious middle-class student from the outskirts of Moscow. She’s also a commissar and spokesperson for the Nashi political youth movement, which has ties to the Kremlin. After joining Nashi at the age of 15, she moves to the very top of the organization, and is rewarded for her dedication with a university scholarship, an apartment, and even a pro-Putin talk show.
Everything changes when Drokova becomes acquainted with a group of liberal journalists, including popular anti-Putin reporter Oleg Kashin. At first, she remains devoted to Nashi while pursuing tentative friendships with its left-wing critics — but when Kashin is brutally beaten by “unknown perpetrators,” she has a genuine change of heart and decides to take a stand.
“As shown in these films, the best way that a state can be tyrannical is by breeding cynicism toward democratic freedom.” – Govindini Murty & Jason Apuzzo, The Atlantic
“Putin’s Kiss is more than just the portrait of a naive young woman. It’s a frightening look at Putin’s warped version of democracy. ” – V. A. Musetto, New York Post
Rachel Denber, Human Rights Watch Deputy Director, Europe and Central Asia Program will lead a post-screening discussion.
Presented in partnership with 100Reporters and Reporters Without Borders
PUTIN’S KISS Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 7 pm West End Cinema2301 M St. NW Entrance on 23rd St. NW Washington, DC 20037
Purchase tickets at the West End Cinema box office or by clicking here:
Wednesday February 20, 7:00pm + Q&A
PICK OF THE WEEK “Putin’s Kiss is required viewing! ” – Andrew O’Hehir, Salon
