The Oscar-winning film that captured Navalny's life and possible death

The director of the 2022 Oscar-winning film expressed shock at the possible death of Alexei Navalny, the film’s subject.

The director of the 2022 Oscar-winning film speaks of his shock at the death of Alexei Navalny.

In the 2022 Oscar-winning documentary Navalny, Canadian director Daniel Roher asked Alexei Navalny the inaugural question, to which Navalny responded with a smile, “Come on Daniel, no,” adding, “No way. It’s like you’re making a movie for the case of my death.”

The significance of those words deepened with the recent news of the 47-year-old Russian political activist’s demise in an Arctic Circle jail. Russian prison authorities stated that Navalny, a Kremlin critic, fell ill after a walk, while his team alleges that Russian authorities are intentionally withholding his body to obscure evidence.

Despite the evident dangers Navalny faced in Russia, Roher expressed profound shock upon learning of his friend’s death, emphasizing the poignant sadness and grief that enveloped the moment. Reflecting on their friendship during the film’s production, Roher highlighted their shared sense of humor as a foundation for mutual respect. Navalny’s quick wit and penchant for humor immediately established a bond between them, paving the way for a collaborative and lively dynamic throughout their time together.

The movie tracks Navalny and his team as they uncover a scheme to poison him using the deadly nerve agent Novichok.

In August 2020, he collapsed on a flight over Siberia and was promptly taken to a hospital in Omsk, where an emergency landing ultimately saved his life. Subsequently, Russian officials permitted his airlift to Berlin for medical treatment.

Following tests conducted by the German military, the government confirmed the presence of a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group, providing undeniable evidence.

Despite the Kremlin’s denial of involvement and rejection of the Novichok discovery, doubts persisted, even within Navalny’s own ranks. He and a group of journalists launched their own investigation.

In a remarkable scene depicted in the film, Navalny cleverly tricks an FSB agent into confessing over the phone that the chemical weapon had been applied to Navalny’s underwear at a hotel in Tomsk.

The agent, Konstantin Kudryavtsev, admitted that if the plane hadn’t made an emergency landing, Navalny would have perished. The agent’s whereabouts thereafter remain unknown.

“We were all utterly astonished,” shared Shane Boris, one of the film’s producers. “When the team initiated that interview, nobody anticipated such a revelation.”

The film traces Navalny’s recovery from the poisoning and his moments with his family. It chronicles his return to Russia, which ends in his immediate arrest. From then on, he would not experience freedom.

Mr. Roher, the director, revealed that he and Navalny developed a close bond during the two months of filming, despite the challenging subject matter.

“There were tense moments, where I had to pose uncomfortable questions,” he acknowledged. “Even the initial question in the movie… it’s a very uncomfortable line of inquiry, but my primary objective is to create a compelling film.”

Mr. Roher disclosed that he and Navalny exchanged letters after Navalny was imprisoned upon his return to Russia.

“I value them greatly to this day. I’ve placed them in my office, and I’ll treasure them forever,” he expressed.

The theme of Navalny’s potential mortality is a recurring motif in the film.

At one point, amidst interviews, a member of Navalny’s team inquires whether he’s growing annoyed by questions about his past.

Navalny responds that he isn’t bothered but remarks, “I understand he’s documenting everything for the film he’ll release if something happens to me.”

In reality, the film premiered before his passing and received widespread international praise. The Guardian described it as “utterly astonishing,” while the Times hailed it as “unquestionably one of the most gripping documentaries of this, or any, year.”

Now, many are reevaluating the film in light of recent events.

In the final scene, Mr. Roher poses a poignant question to Navalny: “Alexei, if you’re detained or worse, if you’re killed, what message do you wish to convey to the Russian people?”

Navalny briefly responds in English before the director suggests he speak in his native tongue.

Switching to Russian, he concludes, “We underestimate our strength. The triumph of evil only requires the inaction of good people. So, don’t remain passive,” he urges, casting a meaningful glance at the camera.

Mr. Roher expressed that creating the film has profoundly transformed his life. He emphasized the profound impact it had on him as an individual. Reflecting on Alexei’s life, he highlighted that it serves as a reminder that regardless of life’s challenges, maintaining a sense of humor and humanity, such as continuing to write Valentine’s Day messages to one’s spouse, can improve one’s outlook. While Alexei’s future may not be promising, his life exemplifies courage, resilience, and the ability to bring light into darkness.

The upcoming movie about Alexei Navalny, the prominent Russian opposition leader, has been making waves with its unique take on his life and the potential risks he faces. The film promises to offer a gripping portrayal of Navalny’s fearless activism and the challenges he has encountered, shedding light on his resilience and the struggles he has endured. With speculations about his possible death, the movie aims to provide a poignant and thought-provoking insight into his story. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the background of this groundbreaking film and its impact on the world stage. This is definitely one to watch out for!

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