Pussy Versus Putin (2013): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2013, Pussy Versus Putin is a music and documentary film directed by Vasily Bogatov, running about 60 minutes. “Shocking and visceral profile of Pussy Riot and their protests.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. In 2012 two members of anarchistic female band Pussy Riot were sentenced to two years in a Mordovian labor camp for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred". Russian film collective Gogol’s Wives follow each step of the feminist punk band’s battle against Putin including their first disruptive performances on a trolley bus, shooting a video about transparent elections, a controversial performance in a Red Square cathedral, and footage shot in a jail cell. Support comes from many corners including Madonna who painted the words "Pussy Riot" on her back and wore a balaclava during her Moscow show. The documentary portrays the grim state of present-day Russia, a country starkly divided between conservatism and anarchy. Pussy Riot believes that art has to be free and they're willing to take it to extremes. "Pussycat made a mess in the house," they say, and the house is Russia. The filmmakers do not seek to moralize, they simply edit events and leave viewers to draw their own conclusions.

Who’s in it. Pussy Versus Putin stars Mariya Alyokhina as Mariya Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova as Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Pussy Riot and Yekaterina Samutsevich.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, Pussy Versus Putin has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Pussy Versus Putin page.

If you liked it. Fans of Pussy Versus Putin tend to enjoy Whiplash, Coco, Green Book and The Legend of 1900.