In Search of Putin’s Russia is a four part series about contemporary Russia during the Putin era, commissioned and financed by Al Jazeera English headquarters in Doha and completed in November 2015. Presented and co-directed by Andrei Nekrasov, a director, journalist and commentator of renown, and produced and co-directed by Melanie Anstey, the films explore politics, economics, empire and culture, from the perspective of Russia’s citizens.
Episode 1, Kremlin Rules
Episode 2, Arising from the Rouble
Episode 3, Reclaiming the Empire
Episode 4, State of the Arts
WHAT'S BEEN SAID ...
I saw the first episode of the series on AJ, and just wanted to tell you that I think it’s terrific. Fascinating, intimate and revealing, it’s also elegantly made.
David Fanning
Founder and Executive Producer at Large
Frontline
We all watched your first show last night and thought it was brilliant: informative but open ended, full of intriguing characters and images. A real insight into Russia!
Kevin Macdonald, Director
Dear Melanie, Sigrid and I watched the first episode and found it fascinating. Well done!
Eric Abraham, Producer
Tonight the final episode of In Search of Putin’s Russia goes to air. It’s a strong and fitting conclusion to what has been an exceptional series. I think most people faced with the daunting task of “explaining Russia to the world by talking to regular people” would probably think it can’t be done…..You have achieved all hits and no misses. I feel closer to understanding Russia today than ever before. ….Let me tell you that In Search Of Putin’s Russia is really a triumph.
Farid Barsoum
Executive Producer Programmes
Al Jazeera International
Just a quick note to say how much I am enjoying the Russia series. Very engaging presenter, lovely pacing of film, great sequences and compelling narrative.
Giles Trendle
Acting Managing Director and Director of Programmes
Al Jazeera International
Just a quick note to say how much I’m loving the Russia series. You and the team have done a terrific job under Farid’s stewardship.
Ingrid Falck
Manager of Programmes Documentaries
Al Jazeera International
THE TEAM
Invaluable contributions were made by Yulia Shcherbina, AJI’s Moscow office senior producer and an award winning film-maker in her own right; Albina Kirillova, also a film-maker and freelance journalist; Anastasia Kirilenko, a respected freelance journalist living in France, and by our location managers: Marina Erastova, Alina Lobzina and Anton Verstakov; our cinematographers: Andrei Erastov, Artyom Ignatov, Franz Koch, Dimitri Suvorov, Irina Uralskaya; our sound recordists and engineers: Vasily Amochkin, Sorin Apostol and Raf Kuznetsov and by our brilliant editor Phillip Gromov. Post production took place at Planète Rouge in Marseille. Andrei and Melanie couldn’t have produced this series without the enthusiasm, talent and energy of our associate producer Vetta Kirillova, who helped us identify the most authentic stories we could film.