In August 2020, Alexei Navalny, the leader of the Russian opposition was poisoned with a lethal nerve agent in an assassination attempt. In the months following, the shocking revelations about the attempt on his life came to light during his road to recovery, a process that was captured by award-winning director Daniel Roher in his acclaimed documentary, Navalny.
As the film arrives on documentary streaming service DocPlay, Peter Gray spoke with Daniel about taking on such a potentially controversial topic, if he felt any nerves when exploring this narrative, and what he hopes audiences will take away regarding the views on Russia under Vladimir Putin.
Congratulations on the film. I’m not a big political person, but this film was absolutely enthralling! Was there any nervousness for you in taking this subject on?
Nervousness? Not really. (Not) when confronted with an opportunity like this. I’ve been waiting for something like this my entire life. If you’re a documentary filmmaker this is the dream subject, the dream opportunity. Whilst I understood that there was a known unknown, there were elements here that were frightening and more intimidating than anything I’d done before. There was no fear or apprehension. There was just diving off the deep end into unknown waters.
Given that Navalny essentially invites you into his world, is there a balance you have to adhere to regarding respecting his privacy, but then documenting that warts-and-all mentality?
At the end of the day he is able to tell me when he wants me to show up, and when he doesn’t. He happened to be a terrific subject who said yes 90% of the time, but that is the inherent control that a subject has over a documentary filmmaker. I was just very fortunate that I had a subject who was a really good sport and really game and really understood that the more he puts in, the more we would get out.
Because of that personal connection, is there a worry you’ll lose a sense of objectivity?
No, absolutely not. The objectivity you’re speaking to was made very clear and abundant at the beginning of the process. I made it clear to Alexei that editorial control had to be vetted with the filmmakers. That was critical. Also, we wanted to make a film that was challenging and compelling. My pitch to him was that making something that was nuanced and complicated would make the film better in the story, (would) give it a bit of richness. And I think he understood that, and I think he appreciated the integrity of that approach. So, whilst he and I enjoyed a very strong interpersonal relationship, the film came first always.
How did it all start in motion that you would be the one telling this story?
We were in the right place at the right time. My colleagues and I were working on a completely different film with Christo Grozev, the Bulgarian nerd with a laptop, (and) it wasn’t going well. And as we were trying to regroup and figure out what was next, Christo told us that he had a lead into who tried to poison Navalny. That was revelatory for us, and we understood that would be a very unique documentary. Christo reached out to Alexei and told him of his findings and that he was working with filmmakers and maybe we could do a film project. Navalny was receptive to the idea, and the rest is history.
With the tensions rising between Ukraine and Russia over these last months, has your view of the film changed? Or have you heard of other people’s views changing?
Well, first off, I would say that the tensions rising between Ukraine and Russia is not exactly how I would frame this. This is a very bloody and aggressive invasion by one country, and another country who is fighting for sovereignty, democracy and human rights. Let’s be clear about that. In regard to how it’s changed the film? What it’s done for me is refocus the mission of the film. It has reminded audiences around the world who’ve engaged with this movie that Vladimir Putin is not Russia, and Russia is not Vladimir Putin. There’s an alternate vision for what Russia can be. And it’s a vision offered by Alexei Navalny and his staff, his team and his supporters.
It’s really important that the world remembers that not all Russians are evil. Not all Russians support an egregious war. And there are many brave Russians who are sacrificing a great deal for the future of their country so they can get started on the path towards reconciliation. (Towards) making amends and being a part of the global community in the 21st century.
Putin’s impact on Russian history has essentially been akin to Stalinism. Do you think Navalny’s impact will be one that will reveal itself over time? That’s it’s almost unrealised?
Absolutely! I think Navalny’s impact on the future of Russia is fully unrealised. I think his true greatness and his leadership is unrealised. I think Navalny needs to survive his prison sentence. Get out of the Gulag and run in a legitimate democratic election for the future of the Russian Federation. Whether he wins that election or not? I’m not sure. That’s up to the Russian people. Let them decide what kind of government and leadership they want for their own country.
Have you heard of what the Russian people think of the film?
Well, one of the most important aspects of this film, the most important experientially, for me, has been showing this film around the world. And having young Russians who are just sick of this war, of aggression, who are feeling lost, who are feeling completely and totally ashamed to be Russian. It’s having those men and women come to me after screenings crying and thanking us for making this movie, and reminding the world that not all Russians are evil.
Was there ever that lingering feeling talking to Alexei regarding his mortality? You could potentially be conducting his last ever interview. Was that something you thought about?
Absolutely! The film opens with me asking him to envision his possible death. To think about what that scenario would look like. And to think about what he would want to tell his supporters, his people, if that tragedy is realised. The regime tried to murder him once already! That was nearly two years ago, to the day, (and) he survived. That question, that unknown, was something that was very much on my mind, and we didn’t know what would happen when he went back to Russia. It’s a miracle he’s still alive. And for whatever reason, the regime has decided that it is too big of a pain to murder him and their best (is) to just let him languish in prison. As long as he’s languishing (though) in prison, that’s much better than the alternate fate.
When he gets out and he runs, do you have an idea of a sequel or a continuation of his existence after prison?
Absolutely. The sequel I want to make is about the first democratic election in the Russian Federation history where he runs for President. That’s a film I’d be delighted to make.
Navalny is available now on DocPlay.
