Alexander Sokurov is one of Russia's greatest filmmakers. In December 2025, he publicly attacked the Kremlin's "foreign agents" law, calling it "humiliating." The remarkable thing: he said this from inside Russia, where he has been unable to leave since 2022. Novaya Gazeta Europe reported his comments on December 10, 2025.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the government confiscated Sokurov's passport and banned him from leaving the country. The order came from the prime minister's office. Many artists and cultural figures fled Russia during this time, but Sokurov was already in the country—and got stuck. For nearly four years, he has lived under this restriction. His recent statement suggests he decided that staying silent was no longer an option.

What Is the "Foreign Agents" Law?

Russia has a law that labels certain people and organizations as "foreign agents." It started in 2012, loosely copying a U.S. law, but Russia uses it much more strictly. When someone gets this label, everything they publish must carry a warning stamp. They face constant obstacles in their work. For artists, journalists, and teachers who work with international partners, the label can end their careers. Many observers see the law as a tool to silence criticism and dissent—not to protect Russia from foreign influence.

Sokurov is not just any critic. He was born in Siberia in 1951 and became one of the greatest Russian filmmakers of his generation. His 2002 film Russian Ark was shot entirely inside the Hermitage Museum in one continuous 96-minute take. It remains one of the most technically impressive films ever made. He has never made propaganda films or overtly political work, which makes his decision to speak out now especially significant. When quiet artists break their silence, people listen differently.

Trapped but Still Speaking

Sokurov cannot leave Russia. He cannot travel abroad. He has no legal way to escape. But he still has a voice—for now. The independent cultural world in Russia has been largely shut down. Theaters that once showed critical work have closed. International film partnerships have ended. Independent journalism, once possible, has become nearly impossible.

When Sokurov's statement was published, it did not appear on Russian state television or in government outlets. Instead, it was reported by Novaya Gazeta Europe, a news organization that operates from outside Russia. This tells you something important: the remaining spaces where Russians can speak freely are mostly outside the country's borders.

What happens next is unclear. Sokurov is 74 years old and has a physical disability. He lives in a country where the government has shown it will pressure artists who criticize the leadership. Public statements against Putin from someone of Sokurov's standing are rare and usually have consequences. The Kremlin might show restraint because of his age and international reputation. Or it might wait, watch, and eventually act. What we know for certain is this: one of the world's greatest living filmmakers is trapped in his own country, speaking against the system that confines him.