Khodorkovsky

It's hard to say if one would enjoy this more if some background information on this case was at hand or if one was coming in cold. Not up to speed on Russian political prisoners, I found Cyril Tucshi's documentary was a fascinating, if one-sided, info-laden trip into corruption.

Depending on who you talk to Mikael Khodorkovsky either is a stealer of Russian money or is a political prisoner simply because he pointed out corruption in Putin's government, for which he is still serving time in a Siberian penal colony. Khodorkovsky could be called Russian's first Oligarch; a smart businessman, he revolutionised Russian banking and became the richest man in the world under the age of forty when he bought the Yukos oil company. A question mark over tax payments and an ill-advised accusation of Putin in the presence of TV cameras hastened his downfall.

In interviewing former wives, business partners and advisors, it's obvious what side Cyril Tuchsi is on. Or at least he finds it hard to hide his admiration for the man. Tuchsi's Khodorkovsky comes across as a modern day Peter The Great - championing education and donating to many charities, he helped moved Russia away from traditional Communist ideals to progressive Western capitalism. "Profit is our compass," he's has said - Khodorkovsky obviously been shot before the economic collapse of the Western world or Tucshi has ignored the fact that unstoppable greed as upended the planet.

The director manages to wangle some correspondence via letter from his prison but it's unknown whether he went to the same lengths to garner the opinion of Putin and co., as their point of view is sadly missing here, making Khodorkovsky a one-sided affair. Bar a brief and cautious interview in a courtroom, the documentary is missing the personal touch from the Khodorkovsky himself, because he does seem like a charismatic man, but Tucshi fills in the gaps with a sometimes-glowing reverence.

Using quick interviews, and the odd Renaissance-esque stark black and white animated sequences, Khodorkovsky zips through its one-hundred-and-eleven minutes without pausing for breath. Those unfamiliar with the situation will find this an interesting watch.