Citizen K

Citizen K is a riveting insider’s look at how power works in Russia.  The film chronicles the 20-year battle between Mikhail Khodorkovsky (at one time Russia’s richest oligarch) and Vladimir Putin, in a story that includes politics, big business, a Siberian prison, murders and the bizarre spectacle of Russian elections.  Alex Gibney filmed extensively in Russia, not only in Moscow but in Western Siberia and in far flung locations where Russia meets Mongolia and China. He also had exclusive documentary access to Khodorkovsky – who runs opposition operations in London – for over 20 hours of interviews. Told in a way that is alternately brash, sardonic and also deeply moving, “Citizen K” offers a compelling look at modern Russia.