Putin's Kiss

Danish documentarian Lise Birk Pedersen examines a slice of contemporary Russian politics from the perspective of a young woman caught up in the rise of a popular youth movement called Nashi that is essentially a personality cult for long-term ruler Vladimir Putin. The narrative focuses on Nashi loyalist and media star Masha Drokova, a well-spoken 19-year-old who affirms her admiration for Putin and for Nashi's positive achievements in putting post-Soviet society in order (the title comes from Masha's receiving a kiss from Putin during a photo op). But Nashi also sports a record of less-than-admirable activities—demonizing the Russian leader's opponents, burning books, stifling open debate, and engaging in Jackass-level hoodlum acts, including creating flash mobs and engaging in public defecation. When Masha begins to befriend some of Putin's critics, including a group of journalists—an act unthinkable among Nashi youth—she becomes alarmed and disenchanted with the organization's bullying tactics. Pedersen's own biases are evident: Nashi bigwig Anton Smirnov is lit like a movie villain (alas, he also tends to talk like one), and viewers need freeze-frame to read the Nashi response to the film's accusations—a statement that flashes by after the closing credits. Despite obvious emotional manipulation and staged-looking scenes, however, Putin's Kiss humanizes and highlights important issues in today's Russia. DVD extras include a stills gallery. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)