Ep 9. A Journey to Russia

A Journey to Russia is the ninth episode in the first season of Frontline. The episode explores the social and political climate in Russia through the eyes of three different Russian citizens. The documentary starts by showing the portrait of the country that was created during Mikhail Gorbachev's reign and how it has transformed in the last decade.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a journey through Russia, starting in Moscow where they will meet Yegor Gaidar, one of the architects of Russia's transition to capitalism in the 1990s. He discusses his experiences and his thoughts on the challenges and changes that Russia has faced in the years since.

The journey then moves to St. Petersburg, where viewers will meet a journalist, Aleksandr Nevzorov, who discusses the political situation in Russia, specifically the lack of democracy and free speech. He discusses how journalists are under constant threat and that there is a culture of fear that many are afraid to speak out against.

Finally, the episode concludes with a trip to Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, where viewers will meet a woman named Marat Safin who discusses her experiences as a Tatar and the struggle for autonomy within Russia. She talks about how the government has suppressed the Tatar identity and language and how Tatars are treated as second-class citizens in their own country.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to a snapshot of daily life in Russia and the changes that have taken place since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The personal journeys of the individuals featured help to bring a human face to the complexities of political and social change in Russia. Viewers will gain a greater understanding of the challenges that citizens in Russia face and how these challenges are not always easy to overcome.

Overall, A Journey to Russia is a fascinating and insightful episode of Frontline. It offers a rich portrait of contemporary Russia, its people, and their struggles to adapt to ongoing political, social, and economic transformations. The episode serves as a valuable reminder that while Russia may be a formidable world power, it is also a country of great complexity and diversity, with many voices and perspectives that deserve to be heard.