The Shards: Russia on the edge

This week, Klassiki is launching a new collection of Russian documentaries, exploring life in the country as repressions continue to intensify and the war on Ukraine stretches into its fourth year: from the harsh realities facing activists, to life in exile, and the neglected regions of the far East where climate change is creating fresh crises.

In that vein, this week on the podcast we want to highlight another recent documentary that deserves wider attention – Masha Chernaya’s The Shards, which won best film at the DocLisboa festival in the Portuguese capital last year. Shot in a raw, DIY style during the first months of the war, the film sees Chernaya and her cohort reflecting on a homeland that has changed beneath their feet. We see glimpses of underground culture, from raves to fight clubs, as well as an intimate exposure to personal tragedy as the filmmaker’s mother battles against cancer. It’s an emotionally charged portrait of a country and a generation in crisis. Host Sam Goff sits down with Chernaya to explore about how she went about documenting the world around her and how she balanced the personal and political struggles she encountered on the way.

Our new season of Russian documentaries launches on Klassiki this Thursday 3 April. Find out more here and make sure to check out our full collection of non-fiction film here.

Listen above or head to your favourite podcast app to subscribe now. The Klassiki Podcast is available on all major podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, Audible, and more.

Intro music by Juliet Merchant.