The Russian-Georgian War in August 2008 is captured live from the front lines in astonishing first-hand coverage that counters the official version relayed by Russia and broadcast, unchallenged, by the Western media.
A disturbing and persuasive rebuttal to the Putin administration's official side of the story.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2010
Russian Lessons 2009
The Russian-Georgian War in August 2008 is captured live from the front lines in astonishing first-hand coverage that counters the official version relayed by Russia and broadcast, unchallenged, by the Western media. At the outbreak of the conflict in South Ossetia, filmmakers Olga Konskaya and Andrei Nekrasov head for separate borders north and south. These images are presented as proof that this latest skirmish is the continuation of an ethnic cleansing campaign being waged by the Russians. Once back in Saint Petersburg, the couple juxtaposes their accumulated evidence with coverage on such channels as the BBC, exposing the extent of fabrication to devastating effect. — SR.
“Russian Lessons demonstrates with penetrating clarity how the ‘truths’ of history – and contemporary events – are manipulated by those in power… A fascinating, highly personal examination of war, holocaust and memory, the film is also a testament to activist filmmaking.” — San Francisco International Film Festival