At the 95th Academy Awards, ‘All That Breathes’, a documentary feature from India in 2022, was not awarded the Best Documentary Feature Film Oscar. The film, which has since been acquired by HBO, was in competition with four other films: ‘All the Beauty and the Bloodshed’, ‘Fire of Love’, ‘A House Made of Splinters’, and the eventual winner, ‘Navalny’.
In a historic moment, the 95th Academy Awards ceremony witnessed the crowning of the Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, as the winner of the Best Documentary Feature Film category for his self-titled documentary, “Navalny.” The award ceremony, which took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, saw Navalny’s documentary beating the critically acclaimed “All That Breathes” by Indian filmmaker Shaunak Sen.
Navalny’s documentary, directed by Russian filmmaker Viktor Prikhodko, explores the life and struggles of the opposition leader, who has been a vocal critic of the Kremlin’s policies and corruption. The documentary follows Navalny’s journey from a lawyer and anti-corruption activist to a political figurehead, who posed a significant threat to President Vladimir Putin’s regime.
The documentary has garnered critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of Navalny’s life and the challenges he faced. It offers an intimate look at Navalny’s family, his activism, his arrest and imprisonment, and the aftermath of the poisoning that nearly took his life in 2020. The film is a testament to the courage and resilience of a man who has dedicated his life to fighting for democracy and human rights in Russia.
Navalny’s win at the Oscars is a significant milestone for the Russian opposition leader and his supporters. It highlights the growing international recognition of Navalny’s fight against corruption and authoritarianism in Russia. The documentary has already had a profound impact on the country’s political landscape, sparking protests and civil unrest among Russian citizens.
Navalny’s victory at the Oscars comes at a time when Russia’s relationship with the rest of the world is strained. The country has been accused of interfering in the 2020 US presidential election and cyberattacks on American businesses and infrastructure. Navalny’s documentary sheds light on the political repression and corruption in Russia, which is often overlooked by the international community.
In his acceptance speech, Navalny thanked the Academy for recognizing his documentary and dedicated the award to his fellow activists and supporters. He called for the international community to support the people of Russia in their fight for democracy and freedom. He also condemned the Kremlin’s attempts to silence opposition voices and vowed to continue his fight for justice and accountability in Russia.
Navalny’s win at the Oscars is a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking in exposing political corruption and human rights abuses. The documentary has already had a significant impact on the global conversation around democracy and human rights, and its recognition at the Academy Awards will further amplify its message. It also highlights the importance of supporting independent filmmakers and journalists who are fighting for the truth and holding those in power accountable.
In conclusion, Navalny’s victory at the Oscars is a historic moment that will be remembered for years to come. It showcases the power of documentary filmmaking in exposing political corruption and human rights abuses and highlights the growing international recognition of the fight for democracy and freedom in Russia. It is a call to action for the international community to support those who are fighting for justice and accountability, and a reminder that the truth cannot be silenced
