Danish Film “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” Earns Oscar Nomination for Best Documentary
In a significant recognition for Danish cinema, the film Mr. Nobody Against Putin has received an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary. The announcement was made during this year’s nomination show by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday.
This thought-provoking film is among a distinguished group of five nominees in the category. Tine Fischer, the managing director of the Danish Film Institute, expressed her excitement over the nomination. “We are over the moon,” Fischer remarked, noting both the honor of the nomination and the fierce competition from films backed by major players like Netflix and Apple, which often bring large campaign budgets to the table.
Directed by American filmmaker David Borenstein, who resides in Copenhagen, Mr. Nobody Against Putin showcases the poignant story of Pavel “Pasha” Talankin, a Russian teacher and co-producer of the film. Over two years, Talankin meticulously documents the disturbing changes within the Russian educational system as it aligns increasingly with the country’s military aggression toward Ukraine. His courageous efforts include smuggling out recordings that reveal the authoritarian influences on school curricula, a protest against the war and its propaganda.
The nomination show also spotlighted Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror film, which made headlines by receiving a historic 16 nominations—more than any film in Oscar history. This surpasses the previous record held by films such as All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land, each boasting 14 nominations in their respective years.
Sinners has been nominated across multiple key categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress, along with accolades for costume design, casting, and original song composition.
The Danish contribution to this year’s nominations didn’t stop at Mr. Nobody Against Putin. Renowned cinematographer Dan Laustsen was also recognized with an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography for his work on Frankenstein. Laustsen, a previous nominee for The Shape of Water and Nightmare Alley, adds yet another feather to his cap.
In a noteworthy achievement, Affektionsværdi, directed by Danish-Norwegian Joachim Trier, received nine nominations, setting a record as the Scandinavian film with the most Oscar nods ever. The film is nominated for both Best Film and Best International Feature, along with several acting performances.
Previously, the Danish animated film Flugt and Swedish director Ruben Östlund’s Triangle of Sadness held the Scandinavian record, each garnering three nominations.
As the Oscar ceremony approaches, the Danish film community has much to celebrate, marking a remarkable period for Nordic storytelling on the global stage.
