Act & Punishment: The Pussy Riot Trials

Director Mitta's 2015 documentary chronicles the founding and rise of Russian feminist, anti-Putin punk protesters Pussy Riot, from their roots in the Moscow art scene through the 2012 trial and conviction of three core members on charges of disorderly conduct for performing at a church. The film shows how a group of young female art students formed a punk band and staged illegal and provocative guerrilla-style performances in public spaces throughout Moscow, attracting international media attention and drawing the ire of Russian political and religious leaders. The film stands out from other documentaries on the masked and mysterious collective by featuring interviews with the three imprisoned Pussy Riot members, allowing them to tell their own stories and offer insight into their motives and methods. Critics, journalists, and loved ones add commentary, but the frequent and fascinating contributions from the gals, highlighted by the trio's statements at their trial just prior to sentencing, are what make this a truly informative, compelling, and important film.