Putin's Kiss

A spoiler light review of Putin's Kiss should begin with tone, because Lise Birk Pedersen understands exactly how this documentary ought to feel. Putin's Kiss gains early credibility from Masha Drokova, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Oleg Kashin. The foundation of Putin's Kiss can be stated simply: Masha Drokova joins Nashi, a Russian ultra nationalist youth group, at the age of 16 and rapidly ascends its ranks, famously garnering a medal and the opportunity to kiss Vladimir Putin. Within its 1h 25m running time, Putin's Kiss reveals both the benefits and the limits of that disciplined approach.

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Beneath its plot, Putin's Kiss is most interested in the tension between public stories and private experience. That concern becomes visible through Masha Drokova, whose choices allow Putin's Kiss to explore an idea without stopping for a speech. Masha Drokova gives the themes of Putin's Kiss a concrete dramatic form rather than leaving them abstract. The emotional value of Putin's Kiss grows whenever Lise Birk Pedersen trusts the audience to connect behaviour with the larger question.

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Masha Drokova gives Putin's Kiss its most dependable performance, finding a clear emotional intention beneath the plot. Opposite Masha Drokova, Oleg Kashin brings Putin's Kiss a contrasting pace that prevents the central relationship from feeling flat. Viktoria Drokova widens the ensemble of Putin's Kiss through reactions that suggest a life beyond the immediate scene. Lise Birk Pedersen serves the cast of Putin's Kiss best when a look or pause is allowed to finish before the story moves on.

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Putin's Kiss benefits from Lise Birk Pedersen being alive in individual scenes and uncertain between them about what each sequence needs to accomplish. Instead of making every beat equally loud, Lise Birk Pedersen lets Putin's Kiss create contrast between pressure and release. The cast and craft keep the experience watchable throughout Putin's Kiss, with the strongest decisions feeling connected to character rather than display. It is still fair to say that Putin's Kiss suffers because too many scenes explain effects the actors have already suggested, but the problem remains contained.

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At story level, Putin's Kiss turns Masha Drokova and Nashi into the source of its main tension. The role played by Masha Drokova becomes the viewer's route through Putin's Kiss, especially when Russian begins to alter the situation. Masha Drokova gives Putin's Kiss momentum by allowing choices to create consequences instead of treating each scene as isolated information. Even when Vladimir Putin pushes the plot toward familiar ground, Putin's Kiss remains attentive to what that pressure means for its characters.

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The craft of Putin's Kiss is defined by carefully chosen testimony, supported by carefully chosen testimony rather than overwhelmed by decoration. Danmarks Radio (DR) gives Putin's Kiss a production framework in which clear editorial organisation can remain connected to story. Made from a Denmark production context, Putin's Kiss uses setting and design to clarify mood before dialogue has to explain it. The technical finish of Putin's Kiss works because image, sound and editing appear to be serving the same immediate purpose.

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Overall, Putin's Kiss amounts to an uneven film with enough personality to remain interesting and should suit viewers who enjoy thoughtful factual storytelling. The combination of Masha Drokova, Lise Birk Pedersen and carefully chosen testimony gives Putin's Kiss a specific identity. Although too many scenes explain effects the actors have already suggested in Putin's Kiss, the film recovers through craft and committed performance. For the audience it understands, Putin's Kiss offers enough character to remain worthwhile after the immediate plot has faded.