For history enthusiasts: Last of the Czars (1996) and The Russian Revolution (2017)
With the help of lots of historical footage and commentary from renowned specialists, these films will help you understand one of the most pivotal periods in Russian history: the early 20th century, when a series of revolutions and wars changed the country forever.
For those dreaming about leaving the city: Happy People (2010-2014)
Available here
The authors of this documentary spent a whole year in a tiny village on the Yenisey river to see what it’s like to live in the middle of the Siberian taiga with its harsh conditions and breathtaking sights. Happy People focuses on the lives of the locals: hunters, fishermen, and other experts who know nature as it is, not from textbooks.
For sports fans: The Russian Five (2018)
Available here
In the late 1980s, when the Cold War was still very much a thing, hiring players from the USSR to join an American club was a risky move for both sides of the deal – but as it turned out, it was worth it. Sergei Fyodorov, Viacheslav Fetisov, Igor Larionov, Vyacheslav Kozlov, and Vladimir Konstantinov are five Russian hockey players who became a part of the Detroit Red Wings team in the late 1980s – and showed everyone how it’s done.
For nature lovers: Russia’s Hidden Paradises (2022)
Available here
The bears of Kamchatka, the bison of North Ossetia, the reindeers of Yamal Peninsula… Russia is home to not only dozens of ethnic groups, but also a myriad of animal species, including rare ones that require preservation. This over 40-minutes-long documentary touches upon the complex topic of interaction between humans and wildlife and their mutual influence.
