Sindre Kaspersen British producer and documentary filmmaker Mike Lerner and Russian producer and documentary filmmaker Maxim Pozdorovkin's documentary feature which they produced, premiered in the World Cinema Documentary Competition section at the 29th Sundance Film Festival in 2013, was shot on locations in Russia and is a Russia-UK co-production. It tells the story about a Russian citizen in her twenties from a town called Norilsk, Russia named Nadezhda Andreevna Tolokonnikova who in the late 2000s joined a group called Voina with her husband named Pyotr Verzilov, a Russian citizen in her twenties from Moscow, Russia named Maria Vladimirovna Aliokhina whose favorite word as a child started with the letter U and consisted of five letters and a Russian citizen in her thirties from Moscow, Russia named Ykaterina Stanislavovna Samutsevich who became interested in something after reading French philosophers. Distinctly and subtly directed by documentary filmmakers Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin, this quietly paced documentary which is narrated from multiple viewpoints though mostly from the band members' point of view, draws an informative and humanistic portrayal of the front figures of a 21st century Punk rock protest band who made themselves known by conducting performances in public places like the Red Square without having asked for permission beforehand which is obligatory there, and whom after planning a new protest at the Russian parliament called State Duma and performing a protest against the union of state and church on the altar of a renowned cathedral in early 2012 aiming to take Christianity away from the official church and give it back to its origins was arrested, put on trial, convicted for hooliganism and relocated to expiate in penal colonies in Russia. While notable for its atmospheric milieu depictions and reverent cinematography by cinematographer Antony Butts, this narrative-driven story about a federal semi-presidential republic where the president is head of state and a generation who doesn't agree with the politics of the current regime and who practices oppositional art to voice their opinions, which through interviews with family members, attorneys, government officials, Russian citizens and Pussy Riot themselves describes a Russia where its people wishes to live in an ordinary country and which was made twenty-tree years after a German rock band sang the words: "The wind of change blows straight into the face of time …" contains a timely score by composer Simon Russell. This somewhat biographical, historic and remarkable testimony of real events which is set mostly in Russia in the 21st century and where the ruling government passes amendments as they please whilst a group of distinguishable Russian daughters and mothers who are against some of their political policies and with musical instruments, lyrics and balaclavas expresses their views regarding their country of origin which they think is depriving them of their entitlement to influence its fate, creates humorous though far from publicly respectful or lawfully justifiable works of art which has heart, humor, audacity and social intellect beyond its appearance, is impelled and reinforced by its cogent narrative structure, rhythmic continuity, trial and archival footage, photographs and comment by Masha: "It lives in the word. It will go on living because of glasnost." A dense and concentrated documentary feature.

Sherri L. VandenAkker This documentary is a must-see for anyone who doubts that terrifying sexism (much in the name of religion) and political repression exist, that young people are extremely courageous, and that art has the power to liberate the mind, heart, and spirit. This documentary will give you respect for Pussy Riot members, their families, and their sympathizers, yet help you understand why Pussy Riot's detractors feel so threatened by the group.Although much of the film covers legal proceedings against the group, and anyone who followed the trials and news related to the group knows the outcome, the film never drags. The filmmakers also give a brief but insightful look at some of the forces behind the the charged social and political environment in Russia, particularly around religion and social protest.Well-done film!

BeholdTheRiversofBlood This is the scariest movie I've ever seen. It features actual, real people so evil in mind that no fiction I've seen could replicate.The crazies said it best themselves: "What would they have done to them in the 16th century?". That's the time they live in. Sexism, discrimination, torture, thralldom and enforced religious servitude. That's their ideal society. These people are the real demons and true monsters of the human race. They should think long and hard about being lucky enough to have been born as a human being on earth, and what moral ethos should follow that.Instead, they claim the right to enslave an entire nation of people under a set of submissive, authoritarian and tyrannical principles. Not only is everyone not subscribing to this a "sinner", "witch", or "demon" but anyone giving it any sort any sort of criticism is a "blasphemer" fit only for the harshest penalty.Watch for yourself if you want to dwell into the horrors of a small-minded and reactionary society that exists to this day. I couldn't get through more than 3/4s of it before getting a very deep momentary depression. Pussy Riot are heroes for fighting this very real and extremely widespread and systematic oppression that so many of their countrymen help support (actively or passively).So to any Russians: Please don't stand by and let Putin make your country an Orwellian society come to life. Don't let these people who belong in insane asylums be the spokespersons of your country backed up by their cold-hearted leader. I don't blame you for being scared and wanting stability (though those problems will only increase with a real dictatorship), but if you're willing to fight back that's very admirable. I would surely flee into exile abroad if any opportunity presented itself, had I grown up there.

Boyd Anyone with a brain and their eyes open isn't stupid enough to believe in ANY god ... The more stupid in society just believe anything the ruling classes encourage them to do so they can manipulate and control ... They are like sheep ... These girls are great and to be applauded ... And thats from a 57 year old man who isn't Russian or a feminist ... How do you think in 20 years Russia went from a communist state to somewhere where there is an outbreak of billionaires and everyone else has nothing just like before ? ... Open your eyes and see ... Question what you are told ... Otherwise the world will be dead in 2 generations ... It really is that simple