Extremist: "Sometimes a work of art can reach people more deeply than a news report or a clip on social media because it gets into their subconscious."

In this conversation with Vanessa Hope, Sasha Molochnikov discusses his Oscar‑shortlisted short film 'Extremist,' which dramatizes the real‑life case of Russian artist and political prisoner Sasha Skochilenko, jailed for replacing supermarket price tags with anti‑war messages about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He reflects on shooting in exile in Riga for safety, portraying the absurd brutality of “extremism” and “fake news” laws, and exploring everyday complicity through the neighbor who reports the protagonist. Sasha also talks about working closely with his lead actor on the risky courtroom speech, the love story between the two women as a vivid counterpoint to state oppression, and how omnipresent propaganda shapes characters’ lives. Finally, he touches on the film’s surreal ending, the support of executive producer Ben Stiller, and his plans for an expanded feature weaving together multiple stories of Russian political prisoners and dissent. Get full access to Dream of a Better World at vanessahope.substack.com/subscribe