Putin's Witnesses

Nov 8, 2018

1h 43m

★ 6.3

Overview

Russian Federation, December 31, 1999. After President Boris Yeltsin's unexpected resignation, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin becomes acting president of the country. From that day and for a year, Vitaly Mansky's camera documented Putin's rise to power. The story of a privileged witness. The harsh explanation of the reason why politics is the art of possibility of achieving the best with the support of many, but also of giving the worst in return.

Genres

Documentary

History

Production Companies

Vertov

GoldenEggProduction

Hypermarket Film

ZDF

RTS

SRG SSR

Česká televize

ARTE

Latvijas Televizija

Putin's Witnesses Trailers

Cast

Self - Narrator (voice) / (archive footage)

Vitaly Mansky

Self - Politician (voice)

Boris Nemtsov

Self - Politician (archive footage)

Vladimir Putin

Self - Politician (archive footage)

Boris Yeltsin

Self - Politician (archive footage)

Mikhail Gorbachev

Self - Yeltsin's Wife (archive footage)

Naina Yeltsina

Self - Yeltsin's Daughter / Politician (archive footage)

Tatyana Yumasheva

Self - Putin's Teacher (archive footage)

Vera Dmitrievna Gurevich

Self - Politician (archive footage)

Anatoly Chubais

Self - Politician (archive footage)

Dmitry Medvedev

Self - Yeltsin's Daughter (archive footage)

Elena Okulova

Self - Politician (archive footage)

Gleb Pavlovsky

Primary is a documentary film about the primary elections between John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey in 1960. Primary is the first documentary to use light equipment in order to follow their subjects in a more intimate filmmaking style. This unconventional way of filming created a new look for documentary films where the camera’s lens was right in the middle of what ever drama was occurring. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with The Film Foundation in 1998.

0.0

Raja Shivaji

May 1, 2026

Chronicles the rise of young Shivaji Bhonsale, who challenged the might of established empires to found the Maratha kingdom and lay the groundwork for “Swarajya” (self-rule) during a turbulent period of Indian history.

7.0

Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut

Mar 8, 2003

Documentary about the making of Sam Peckinpah's 1971 film "Straw Dogs."

7.2

Guardians of the Galapagos

Apr 21, 2025

Go behind the scenes with the crew of Sea Lions of the Galapagos to showcase not just the production of a film, but the world that inspired it.

6.1

Evita

Dec 14, 1996

The hit musical based on the life of Evita Duarte, an Argentinian actress who eventually became the wife of Argentinian president Juan Perón, and the most beloved and hated woman in Argentina.

4.0

Antonio García-Trevijano: Transición e historia política de España en primera persona

Jul 26, 2021

Spanish jurist and republican thinker Antonio García-Trevijano (1927-2018) expounds his political thought and reflects on the recent political history of Spain.

8.7

We're Not Even Supposed to Be Here Today: 3 Decades of Clerks

Dec 5, 2022

A documentary covering 3 decades of Clerks films

8.0

About Max

Nov 19, 2019

The intimate and passionate portrait of the late Max Croci in a documentary that recalls the human and cultural depth with the testimonies of friends and colleagues.

7.0

Bad Faith

Jan 10, 2024

On January 6, 2021, Americans witnessed an attack on the U.S. Capitol without precedent in our history. Armed militiamen and QAnon followers made headlines, but among them were a sea of crosses and Christian flags, rosaries and "Jesus Saves" signs. What motivated so many Christians to participate in this violent assault?

6.4

Fuck

Nov 10, 2006

A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use.

No Image Available

0.0

Шум времени

Sep 24, 2026

A biopic about Soviet composer Dmitry Shostakovich.

6.8

Sardou, autoportrait

Mar 29, 2024

No overview available.

8.1

Music by John Williams

Nov 1, 2024

His unforgettable scores are an essential part of some of the most beloved movies of our time, over a career that spans decades. See and hear maestro John Williams' own story, with insights from filmmakers, musicians, and others he has inspired, complete with rare behind-the-scenes looks at the making of movie history.

5.8

Giant

Jan 8, 2026

Follows Prince Naseem Hamed from his humble beginnings on the tough working-class streets of Sheffield and his discovery by Ingle, himself a steel industry worker turned boxing trainer. Their unlikely partnership, Naz’s unorthodox style, cocky persona, and sheer dominance in the ring propelled them to the top of boxing’s elite and unprecedented levels of global superstardom, all in the face of the rampant Islamophobia and racism of ’80s and 90’s Britain.

0.0

Kneidler

Feb 21, 2018

No overview available.

0.0

Sala de Roteiristas

Aug 17, 2019

What is the difference between a story and a good story? In this short documentary, ten of the greatest screenwriters in Brazil answer this and other questions, guiding us through the universe of creative writing and all its possibilities.

7.0

Napalm

Jun 3, 1967

A variety of locals react to a napalm plant and an ensuing protest in Redwood City CA during the Vietnam War.

3.0

Kadyrov, The Dictator of Chechnya

May 15, 2018

The lifestyle, self-styling and political opinions of Chechen dictator Ramsan Kadyrov are examined in this documentary.

6.9

Stalin and the Katyn Massacre

Feb 18, 2020

The Katyn massacre, carried out by the Soviet NKVD in 1940, was only one of many unspeakable crimes committed by Stalin's ruthless executioners over three decades. The mass murder of thousands of Polish officers was part of a relentless purge, the secrets and details of which have only recently been partially revealed.

6.4

The Crazy Life

Sep 20, 2008

A documentary about the rival gangs Mara 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, originating in Los Angeles but terrorizing El Salvador. It explores their origins as possible founding myths of organized crime in a globalized world.