“Seven of us controlled 50% of the whole Russian economy”

This telling stat spoken fairly early into Alex Gibney’s newest documentary, CITIZEN K, is referring to the Russian oligarch’s throughout the 1990’s. One of those former oligarch’s, now a political dissident, is the subject of this film.

Once believed to be the richest man in Russia, Mikhail Khordorkovsky began a ten-year prison sentence in 2003 for tax evasion. To this day, he still cannot return to Russia. CITIZEN K explores Mikhail’s childhood, upbringing and youth to detail how he made his fortunes as a young communist youth in the Soviet Union right through to capitalist Russia of the 90’s. 

Something that has really stood out in several of Alex Gibney’s documentary features, such as ZERO DAYS, MEA MAXIMA CULPA and GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF, is his unwavering commitment to understand layers of intricate detail and courage to uncover the secrecy that exists within the organisations and material he chooses to tackle. CITIZEN K is no exception to this. Often, Alex Gibney finds a way to present the complex and heavy material occupying his films in a most informative and lucid manner. In CITIZEN K however, the divulging of information isn’t as studious as what I’m used to seeing from him. The content of this documentary covers a broader timeline, is very demanding and the detail so frequently dense, it ultimately wore me down well before the finish. To the film’s defence though, perhaps my capacity for digesting an abundance of information that’s not exactly easy to digest wasn’t where it needed to be at the time of viewing. And to Alex Gibney’s credit, he does incorporate some archival footage and employs a visual presentation that does offload some of the film’s heaviness. Pacing is also well-judged, considering this documentary slightly exceeds a two hour duration.

Later in the film, CITIZEN K also chronicles Mikhail’s relations with current Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Many people believed that Mikhail’s downfall resulted from challenging Putin. These insights were among the most fascinating and felt of most relevance to now. Particularly in how Mikhail addresses and answers the question “can we ever see a democratic Russia”?

3½ stars

Viewer Discretion
M (Mature themes, violence and coarse language)

Trailer
CITIZEN K

Moviedoc thanks Rialto Distribution and Annette Smith for the screener link to watch and review this film.

CITIZEN K is released in selected cinemas throughout Australia from the 5th of March, 2020.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc
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