Rights in Russia31 Okt 2025

Podcast Then & Now #36: Teresa Cherfas in conversation with Manon Loizeau and Ekaterina Mamontova

Not long ago, the documentary film « Politzek » was premiered on French television. It was made by two women – one French and one Russian – and is dedicated to political prisoners in Putin’s Russia. Manon Loizeau is an experienced documentary filmmaker who has filmed in Grozny during the Second Chechen War, in Beslan, Belarus, Syria, Georgia in 2008, and other hot spots. Ekaterina Mamontova was born and raised in Moscow. In 2015, she graduated from VGIK, the most prestigious film school in Russia. For the past three years, she has been collaborating with independent Russian and foreign media outlets, shooting short documentary projects for them. Yesterday we caught up with Manon and Katya in a café in Paris to talk about how they managed to make such a film in Russia today under Putin, about their collaboration, and about their film « Politzek ». [You can watch Manon and Katya discussing the film on the French channel TV5Monde here.] This podcast was recorded on 30 October 2025.
Questions

Manon, let’s start with you—is this a very significant film for you? After all, in your voiceover at the beginning of the film you say: “Russia is my beloved country, the country I chose when I was 20 years old…” In what sense did you “choose Russia”? To what end?
Tell us about the process of making the film. What was it like?
I understand that meeting Katya was key. Tell us about your first meeting.
What did you want to show the viewer or convey to them about the situation in modern Russia?
The film says that it was important for you, Katya, to bear witness to what happened in Russia. How did you understand this for yourself?
Katya, were there any moments in your professional or personal life that inspired you in your choice of career?
Manon, what tasks did you set for Katya? Were they achievable?
What did you think, Katya? How did you react?
What measures did you take to keep Katya safe?
Tell us about your collaboration, how did you work together remotely?
Tell us briefly about the people are showcased in the film. What guided you in your choice? Did you already know some of them?
Katya, did you use your phone to film or a proper film camera?
How did that work, given that there was a risk of the video being confiscated or something even worse? Were there moments when you were afraid?
Katya, at one point in the film you suggest filming a group, set up by some of your friends, who are writing letters to political prisoners. Tell us how that happened. It’s amazing that they continue to meet to write letters to prisoners to this day. Or has something changed?
What kind of feedback did you get about the film?
Manon, at the beginning of the film, you mention the horrifying number of political prisoners in Russia today. In the credits, you write that the film is dedicated to Belarusian political prisoners and Ukrainians in Russian prisons. The credits are accompanied by photos of many people, political prisoners who are still serving time for their political views. Were there any people you wanted to talk about but couldn’t reach?
What are your plans for the future? Both for yourself and for the film? Manon? Katya?

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