Citizen K
Citizen K

Movie spotlight

Citizen K

2019
Movie
126 min
Russian

The strange case of Mikhail Khodorkovsky — once believed to be the wealthiest man in Russia — who rocketed to prosperity and prominence in the 1990s, served a decade in prison, and became an unlikely martyr for the anti-Putin movement.

Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes78%
Metacritic61/100
Google Users87%
Director: Alex GibneyGenres: Documentary, Biography, Crime, History, Politics

Plot Summary

The documentary chronicles the life of Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, from his rise to power in the post-Soviet era to his imprisonment and eventual exile. It delves into his transformation from a wealthy businessman to a political dissident and critic of Vladimir Putin. The film explores themes of power, corruption, and the fight for democracy in Russia.

Critical Reception

Citizen K received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its in-depth portrayal of a complex figure and its exploration of contemporary Russian politics. While some found its scope ambitious, many commended Gibney's investigative approach and Khodorkovsky's compelling narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its detailed exploration of Mikhail Khodorkovsky's life and the political landscape of Russia.

  • Noted for Alex Gibney's skillful direction and Khodorkovsky's articulate and passionate perspective.

  • Some critics found the documentary to be dense, but overall it was seen as an important and timely examination of power and dissent.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the documentary's insightful look into the life of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and the complexities of Russian politics. Many viewers found the film to be informative and thought-provoking, appreciating the personal journey of Khodorkovsky against the backdrop of significant historical events.

Fun Fact

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the subject of the documentary, was once considered the richest man in Russia before his arrest in 2003.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
devital

devital

Western propaganda from the pen of a smug self-made man who tries to mitigate his moral failings.

SWITCH.

SWITCH.

'Citizen K' makes an interesting companion piece to Herzog's 'Meeting Gorbachev', which captured the promise of 1989 and mourned what came next. Gibney's documentary is essential viewing for anyone needing a history lesson about Russia sinc...

Stephen Campbell

Stephen Campbell

_**Factually comprehensive but suffers from an over-idealisation of its subject**_ >_I am not hiding and I don't plan to become a political émigré. If it's a choice of forcing me out of the country or putting me in gaol, then they'll hav...