How Putin Came to Power

To outside observers, the icy and enigmatic Vladimir Putin appears to be far removed from the previous larger-than-life rulers of Russia. Yet if Putin's public persona seems colorless and aloof, his grasp on power represents a disturbing shift away from the promises of a new democracy in the post-Soviet era. Tania Rakhmanova's well-researched documentary offers valuable insights into how Putin quietly but effectively rose to power in the years following the end of the Cold War, while also detailing how he has maintained that power through a series of ruthless political, military, and economic actions. Combining interviews with Kremlin insiders, recordings of government meetings, and even a previously unseen blackmail video, Rakhmanova creates a portrait of Putin that is genuinely chilling. Real and perceived enemies to Putin's reign have been summarily dealt with—through threats and violence—most notably in the media, where freedom of the press has conspicuously evaporated during Putin's presidency. Even worse, the film looks at how Putin has exploited the seemingly endless war in Chechnya as a means of solidifying his authority, showing how the leader successfully used the Moscow terror attacks blamed on Chechen rebels for his own power consolidation. Although the end of the Cold War might have taken Russia off most Americans' radar, this excellent documentary suggests that more attention should be paid to Russia in general and Putin in particular. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)