Oligarch Stars in Documentary
Renowned documentary maker Alex Gibney has profiled the Russian billionaire businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky in an outstanding new feature named ‘Citizen K’. The documentary was well-received when it premiered on August 2019 at the Venice International Film Festival. Although the release date has not been made official as yet, the movie is eagerly anticipated by Gibney fans and those interested in the inner workings of Russia.
Exploring Power in Russia
According to Gibney, Khodorkovsky was the perfect subject for his latest documentary because the businessman has had vast experience in conducting business and living in Russia, giving him a unique perspective on how things work in the country. Once known as Russia’s wealthiest man, Khodorkovsky has experienced the height of success. But, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the former oligarch, who has also had major challenges in his path. Because of this, Khodorkovsky was well able to provide a balanced standpoint on the topic.
Khodorkovsky, a self-made billionaire, began his life as the son of two engineers in Moscow. After graduating with excellent grades, he began to work full-time for the Komsomol before starting his first entrepreneurial venture, a café. From there Khodorkovsky expanded his business interests to include importing personal computers and other lines of business, eventually delving into finance and politics. Throughout his career, the businessman developed strong and clear political beliefs, as is clearly depicted in this documentary.
Incredible 5+ min standing ovation at #VeniceFilmFestival for my friend @alexgibneyfilm and his masterful new documentary CITIZEN K about former oligarch/current Putin antagonist Mikhail Khodorkovsky @mich261213 #Venice76 #Venezia76 #VeniceFilmFestival2019 pic.twitter.com/TQn9fSQcj3
— Daniel DiMauro (@dandoesdocs) September 2, 2019
Understanding Citizen K
The documentary was produced with a range of long interviews with Khodorkovsky and Gibney stated that the businessman was very patient with the process. The end result was well worth the effort. Citizen K is a well condensed and commanding documentary and one of the most successful features the filmmaker has made in recent years. It draws from Gibney’s typical methodical approach to research, and builds a colourful narrative that tackles an accessible yet polished take on what is going on in the Putin-led Russia of today.
According to Gibney, Americans are intrigued by Russia and curious about what is happening in the mysterious country. The documentary tracks the rise and fall of Khodorkovsky and draws subtle parallels between post-Soviet Russia and America today. It’s important that the viewer reads between the lines to fully comprehend this documentary that is so much more than just a provocative legal thriller.
Alex Gibney – Multiple-Award Winning Filmmaker
Documentary-maker Alex Gibney is known for producing top-quality documentaries. In 2008 he won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards with his 2007 movie Taxi to the Dark Side which details interrogation practices during the Afghanistan war. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for his documentary Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room and received several other awards and nominations. Other critically acclaimed documentaries produced by Gibney include Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief and Mr Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown.
Even though the Citizen K documentary covers a political topic, it is hailed as highly entertaining and informative and as yet another one of Gibney’s excellent productions.