This documentary dives deep into the history of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, his ties to the United States, and the chronicled possible interference with the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, his "revenge." Part 1 tells the story about Vladimir Putin, the current Russian President, former intelligence officer for the Soviet Union's KGB and Russian Prime Minister. Did you know that he is a man infatuated with how he is perceived by others? He is obsessed with television, and has gone so far as to get top TV execs fired for airing shows that portray him negatively or comically. He now has complete control over what his country views on public television. Even the news channels are only allowed to show footage that has been approved by this President. Part 2 focuses on leaked emails, Facebook ads and fake news....all linked to Russian hackers. It addresses how cyber intrusions instigated by Russians affected how U.S. people voted. The saga continues as we hear about why and how this was executed. Your thoughts will be spinning as you watch this story unfold. This is a documentary, so the characters are real life as are the clothing they wear. It definitely held my interest and is professionally produced. I learned a lot about the Russian President and about the U.S. Presidents that have dealt with him in the past. There is so much information that I had never heard of prior to watching this film.
This is a documentary you do not want to miss! It takes a deep dive into Putin's past, his policies, his personal character and his involvement with the U.S. 2016 Presidential election. I recommend this film for ages 13 to 18, as well as adults, and give it 4 out of 5 stars. The DVD releases on January 30, 2018.
Reviewed by Amanda McNeely, KIDS FIRST! Juror
This documentary dives deep into the history of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, his ties to the United States, and the chronicled possible interference with the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, his "revenge." Part 1 tells the story about Vladimir Putin, the current Russian President, former intelligence officer for the Soviet Union's KGB and Russian Prime Minister. Did you know that he is a man infatuated with how he is perceived by others? He is obsessed with television, and has gone so far as to get top TV execs fired for airing shows that portray him negatively or comically. He now has complete control over what his country views on public television. Even the news channels are only allowed to show footage that has been approved by this President. Part 2 focuses on leaked emails, Facebook ads and fake news....all linked to Russian hackers. It addresses how cyber intrusions instigated by Russians affected how U.S. people voted. The saga continues as we hear about why and how this was executed. Your thoughts will be spinning as you watch this story unfold. This is a documentary, so the characters are real life as are the clothing they wear. It definitely held my interest and is professionally produced. I learned a lot about the Russian President and about the U.S. Presidents that have dealt with him in the past. There is so much information that I had never heard of prior to watching this film.
This is a documentary you do not want to miss! It takes a deep dive into Putin's past, his policies, his personal character and his involvement with the U.S. 2016 Presidential election. I recommend this film for ages 13 to 18, as well as adults, and give it 4 out of 5 stars. The DVD releases on January 30, 2018.
Reviewed by Amanda McNeely, KIDS FIRST! Juror
The first part of the program is a portrait of what makes the Russian leader tick, and the events that shaped his belief that the U.S. has sought to undermine Russia dating back to the fall of the Soviet Union. It explores how Putin came to power and then carefully constructed his image, cracking down on independent media outlets and opponents. It also traces key turning points in Putin's relationship with the U.S. over the years, including how his fear of a U.S. policy of regime change intensified, and how he came to see Hillary Clinton in particular as an enemy trying to oust him - despite State Department insistence it was only promoting democracy, not trying to steer the outcome of Russia's election.
The second half delves into the riveting story of Russian involvement in the 2016 election, and how and why the Obama administration struggled to confront Putin about both election interference and, before that, Putin's actions in Ukraine. The program shows Donald Trump's repeated praise of Putin, how Russia is believed to have weaponized hacked emails to influence U.S. news cycles and exploit the gulf between Hillary Clinton's and Bernie Sanders' supporters, and how false stories picked up by Russian propaganda websites were then promoted by Russian trolls and bots on social media, and eventually found their way onto mainstream American news broadcasts.
Against the backdrop of investigations by the FBI and Congress into the role Russia played in the election, Putin's Revenge is the must-watch, inside story of how we reached this point, what drives Putin, and what might happen next
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