Synopsis

Russian lawyers risk serious personal consequences to defend prisoners of conscience in court.

Screenings

In Russia there is a group of human rights lawyers who defend those who have tried to oppose the state's violence and oppression. Clients are severely punished for actions such as handing out political leaflets or participating in protests. For their work, the lawyers are also exposed targets, and they are fined with police raids, beatings and fabricated offenses.

«Russia vs Lawyers» takes us into courtrooms with cases and discussions that border on the surreal. Director Masha Novikova has followed the lawyers' network for three years, documenting the hopeless conditions for justice in an increasingly suffocating state.

Panel Talk after screening Wednesday March 6

What happens when those who defend justice in Russia, are targeted by the government?

HUMAN IDFF is screening the documentary «Russia vs Lawyers», about a group of human rights lawyers who defend those who have tried to oppose the state's violence and oppression. For their work, the lawyers become exposed targets, and they are subjected to police raids, beatings and fabricated offenses.After the screening the will be a panel conversation with:

Brynjulf Risnes, lawyer and chairperson of NOAS
Aleksandr Popkov, Russian Human Rights Lawyer
Masha Novikova, film director of «Russia vs Lawyers»
Moderator: Ane Tusvik Bonde, Senior Advisor at Amnesty Int. Norway

This talk requires a ticket to the screening of «Russia vs Lawyers».

This event is in collaboration with The Norwegian Helsinki Committee and Amnesty International Norway.

About the director:
Masha Novikova is a Russian director and producer. She made her directorial debut in 2005 with the film «Fallen Angel», about the human trafficking of Eastern European women as prostitutes.

Gallery