Putin's Patriots: Yelnya, Russia's Town of Glory

Synopsis

In Yelnya, a town in Russia with a population of 10,000, nostalgia for the Soviet Union shapes the upbringing of children, who are trained to be military patriots. The community grapples with economic decline and a pervasive culture of alcohol, while local leaders, including the mayor, express anti-Western sentiments. The film highlights the indoctrination of youth through military propaganda and patriotic songs, reflecting a society yearning for stability amidst the harsh realities of contemporary life. Directed by Dmitry Bogolyubov, "Putin's Patriots" examines the complexities of national identity in a post-Soviet context.