THE TRIAL

Info

Documentary, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, 2017
Runtime: 71min.
Director: Askold Kurov
Production: Marx Film, Message Film

Oleg Sentsov is a Ukrainian filmmaker, Euromaidan activist and native of Crimea. After the Russian annexation of Crimea, he became an active opponent of the occupation. In May 2014, he was arrested by the Russian security service, charged with planned terrorist attacks and transported to Moscow. After over a year in custody, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, despite the fact that the testimonies were given under duress and evidence was insufficient. Sentsov never pled guilty.

Director Askold Kurov follows the progress of the trial and the attempts of Oleg’s family, friends and lawyers to save him from prison. The notorious case inspired protests around the world: the European Film Academy and many renowned filmmakers such as Pedro Almodovar, Wim Wenders, Agnieszka Holland, Ken Loach, Johnny Depp and others called for Oleg’s release. Kurov’s investigation gradually reveals an absurd and frightening Kafkaesque story about how anyone can become a victim of a ruthless state machine.

Festivals:
2017: Berlinale, One World Prague, CPH:DOX, Docudays UA, Lecce EFF, GoEast, Sheffield DocFest, Motovun FF, Two Riversides, New Horizons, Manaki Brothers Macedonia, Vancouver IFF, Gent IFF, Human Rights FF Lugano, Verzio
2018: DocPoint Helsinki, Human Rights Watch Amsterdam, If Istanbul, Documentarist, Festival des Film de La Rochelle, One World Romania, Let’s See, La Roche Sur Yon, Filmtopia Bratislava, Int. Human Rights FF Albania, Eastern Neighbours FF, Int. FF Mannheim-Heidelberg, This Human World