The Trial: The State of Russia vs Oleg Sentsov

The Ukrainian documentary filmmaker and Maidan activist Oleg Sentsov was convicted in August 2015 to 20 years in prison in Siberia, charged on obscure arguments of planning a sabotage. The case immediately became symbolic in the struggle for journalistic freedom of expression far beyond Russia's own borders, and the international solidarity has been enormous. Sentsov himself led his defence during the opaque process, which 'The Trial' takes a thorough look at. Was the case against Sentsov in fact a show trial aimed at all critics of the regime? Sentsov's colleague Askold Kurov examines the kafkaesque trial, which is unfortunately not such a rare thing in Russia – with a result that the critical voices are losing courage. Filmmakers like Agnieszka Holland, Ken Loach and Pedro Almodóvar emerge as supporters of Sentsov in 'The Trial', in a campaign to have him released and cleared of all charges. The question is whether the international pressure will have any effect? And who will be the next person to sit in the dock?