Watch In Memoriam: Aleksander Litvinenko - VPRO Backlight

In Memoriam: Aleksander Litvinenko - VPRO Backlight is a documentary that explores the death of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko. The film is a highly informative and thought-provoking piece that delves deep into the life and work of Litvinenko as well as his mysterious death. The documentary begins with a brief introduction of the event that triggers the plot. The story revolves around the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB spy, who fled Russia to the UK with his family after he became increasingly disillusioned with the Putin regime. In 2006, he was poisoned with a lethal amount of radioactive polonium-210, which he ingested via a cup of tea while meeting his fellow Russian comrades at the Millennium Hotel in London. Litvinenko’s death sparked international outrage and triggered a diplomatic crisis between the UK and Russia.

The documentary then follows the investigation that ensued and documents the attempts made to uncover the truth behind the assassination. It highlights the various factions involved, including Russian intelligence, the UK government, and private detectives who were hired to investigate the case. The film explores the role that Litvinenko had in the Russian intelligence agency, the KGB, and delves deep into his falling out with the Putin regime.

The documentary features interviews with a wide range of individuals, including Litvinenko’s widow, family members, colleagues, and friends, as well as the detectives and intelligence officers who worked on the case. Each provides valuable insight into the man that Litvinenko was as well as the various circumstances that led to his assassination. The film also features interviews with the suspects in the case, Dmitry Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi, who have been accused of carrying out the poisoning, but they deny the allegations and refuse to cooperate with the investigation. Despite the lack of cooperation from the two suspects, the documentary manages to shed a lot of light on the peculiar circumstances that surround the assassination.

One of the most critical themes that run through the film is the idea of corruption within the Putin regime. The documentary explores the deep-rooted corruption within the Russian intelligence and government agencies and how Litvinenko’s experience with this corruption led him to flee the country. The film provides a unique insight into the inner workings of the KGB, and the extent to which it would go to cover up its activities, both in the past and the present.

Another important theme explored in the documentary is the erosion of trust between Russia and the west. The death of Litvinenko resulted in a severe diplomatic crisis between the UK and Russia, with the UK accusing the Russian government of being involved in the assassination. The film explores how the assassination of a former KGB spy on UK soil has soured relations between Russia and the UK, and how there is a general feeling of distrust between the two countries.

In Memoriam: Aleksander Litvinenko - VPRO Backlight is an engaging and informative documentary. It provides a wealth of information on Alexander Litvinenko, his life, work, and death, and the various people who were involved in the investigation. Despite the fact that the investigation into Litvinenko’s death is yet to be concluded, the film offers a unique insight into the events that led to his assassination and shines a light on the deep-rooted corruption that exists within the Putin regime. The documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in modern-day espionage and political corruption, and is highly recommended for anyone looking to learn more about the plight of whistleblowers and political refugees around the world.