Notes of a True Criminal
| Notes of a True Criminal | |
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 International promotional poster | |
| Ukrainian | Нотатки справжнього злочинця |
| Directed by |
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| Written by | Alexander Rodnyansky |
| Produced by | Beth Earl |
| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Nazim Kadri-Zade |
| Music by | Evgueni Galperine |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 117 minutes |
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Notes of a True Criminal (Ukrainian: Нотатки справжнього злочинця, romanized: Zapiski nastoyashego prestupnika) is a 2025 documentary film directed by Alexander Rodnyansky and Andriy Alferov. It follows Rodnyansky's own personal history intertwined with Ukraine tumultuous recent history.
A co-production between the United States and Ukraine, the film had its world premiere out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 3 September 2025. It received positive reviews from critics.
Production
[edit]An American-Ukrainian co-production, the film marked Alexander Rodnyansky's return to documentary form after a 31-years-long hiatus.[1] The title ironically alludes to his being sentenced in absentia by a Russian court to 8.5 years in prison for his outspoken criticism of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.[2]
An exploration of about 80 years of Ukrainian history intertwined with Rodnyansky's family history, it uses archival footage alongside material from documentaries he shot during the early phase of his career.[2] Rodnyansky described it as "the most personal film of my life" and funded it personally.[3]
Release
[edit]Venice Film Festival's artistic director Alberto Barbera offered Rodnyansky a spot at the festival months before the film was completed; the film eventually had its world premiere out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.[1]
Reception
[edit]Variety's critic Jessica Kiang described the film as "sober, strikingly personal", ""anguished and absorbing", "powerful but pessimistic".[2] Screen International's film critic Tim Grierson noted the film "invariably has stronger and weaker segments. But the intelligence brought to bear gives the film a spirit of inquisitive exploration."[4]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Lodderhose, Diana (2 September 2025). "Alexander Rodnyansky Talks Returning To Documentary Roots With 'Notes Of A True Criminal' & Why "Our Fates Are Intertwined With The Fate Of Our Country" — Venice". Deadline. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 Kiang, Jessica (11 September 2025). "'Notes of a True Criminal' Review: An Anguished and Absorbing Guided Tour Through Decades of Ukrainian History". Variety. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- ↑ Khomami, Nadia (3 September 2025). "Russian cinema has shifted to fairytales and propaganda, says Ukrainian film-maker". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- ↑ Grierson, Tim (3 September 2025). "'Notes Of A True Criminal' review: Alexander Rodnyansky explores Ukraine's plight, past and present". Screen International. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
