The New Greatness Case

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

The Q&A at 6:30pm will include: Anna Shishova (director), Tanya Lokshina (HRW Associate Director of Europe and Central Asia Division), and Vasily Polonsky (journalist for Dozhd and Novaya Gazeta) moderated by Julia Ioffe (founding partner & Washington Correspondent).

As we are witnessing the intensified crackdown on dissent and free expression in Russia, The New Greatness Case brings you into the life of young Russians caught in the crossfire. Anya was an ordinary teenager, discussing Russian politics and social issues on the internet with a group of friends, when a secret agent joined their chat group and rented them a meeting space – pushing them towards direct physical action. Police storm their homes to arrest and jail the teens, accusing them of plotting to overthrow the government and fabricating charges of extremism. Three years later, Anya’s mother, continuing her desperate fight to prove her daughter’s innocence, has transformed from a loyal follower of Vladimir Putin to a hunger-strike enacting political activist. With hidden camera footage, and an intimate relationship with the protagonists, director Anna Shishova shows the complete repression of present-day Russia, and how young, free-thinking people, are seen as a threat to the government.

“A courageous and dedicated film with incredible scenes. The case against the kids is so grotesque, it keeps you watching for the next twist.”- Bill Van Esveld, Associate Director, Children’s Rights Division, Human Rights Watch

Screening as part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2022

All cinemas are wheelchair accessible.Fully subtitled in English. Assistive listening devices available for all screenings. Please visit individual venue websites or contact individual box offices for details and note that equipment is subject to availability. Post-screening discussions will offer CART (live transcription). 

  • Country Russia
  • Language In Russian with English subtitles
  • Running Time 92 minutes
  • Distributor Human Rights Watch FF
  • Director Anna Shishova
  • Producer Vlad Ketkovich, Torstein Grude, Iikka Vehkalahti, Siniša Juricic
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.