20th International Film Festival at Lincoln Center
Films shine light on human rights issues
By Andy Thomas
Epoch Times Staff

Jun 18, 2009

‘In the Holy Fire of Revolution’ by Director Masha Novikova

While the fall of the Berlin Wall is etched within the Zeitgeist as the fall of the Soviet Union and the communist ideals it instilled, Masha Novikova’s documentary film following the presidential campaign trail of former Grand Master Chess Champion Gary Kasparov, shows a Russian world not too far off from its “Red” Russia days of old, now under Putin.

Kasparov, a nationwide hero in Russia for success in the chess world, becomes the figurehead for “The Other Russia,” a political party and coalition of anti-Putin political groups unified in their efforts to defeat Putin in the, then, coming Russian presidential elections.

The film documents the momentum he gains in the Russian community in his different appearances across Russia in the lead up to the elections, including his arrest on November 24th, 2007 for marching in an illegal protest. Kasparov would go onto to serve a 5-day jail sentence, and ever increased pressure from the Russian secret police, the FSB.

Like a dismal chess match playing out on screen, the hurdles created by Putin supporters and governmental restrictions placed on Kasparov only weaken his future moves, leading him to withdraw from the election after his inability to get the proper signatures and endorsements for his presidential candidacy.

Kasparov’s final public speech on film highlights the largest problem under the Putin regime, a continued fear among Russians which allows them to be preyed upon.

Source: http://www.theepochtimes.com

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