This series is short but not dense introducing the concept of an Olgarchy and then delving deeply into the personal lives of a select few. Dictators and a select ruling class are common throughout history and there might be more informative documentaries but here you hear testimony by figures associated with Russia and Oligarchs. What makes this further interesting is the story told is act 1 of a three act story that hasn't unfolded yet with the war currently ongoing and the aftermath to the war having limitless possibilities.
The people involved in this narrative have unimaginable wealth and the size of their homeland is likewise in area but like Russia itself it is devoid of growth and life. It was refreshing to be reminded that behind the curtain is a man who has more men behind him and that they have wives and children.
There are no secrets revealed nor is the documentary groundbreaking but you get a perspective rarely seen, a political system that is historically common but alien to the vast population, and how little changes on a generational timescale. Russia won't change in a generation but if the powerful and the leaders don't change as well then a country would be steadfast for multiple generations. The stories here can be reflected to all countries but if we treat a president as a father who has to be man of the house for decades until his children grow up rather than a teacher who is constantly replaced then you end up stuck and in ruin, spreading ruin to those around you.
The only issues I have is that you don't get a resolution on the main man Sergei. You get told these Oligarch became wealthy business men but the process, if any, that gave them a head start isn't explored. You understand Putin's appeal to his citizens but we never get their point of view of the facts surrounding the coincidental deaths of Putin's enemies. The most pressing mystery was what leverage did the Oligarchs think they had over Putin since he was able to go against them so easily, how exactly were they a threat to Putin's predecessor and to Putin himself. Since this was under 90 minutes I'll forgive the unanswered queries since I have an opportunity to figure them out myself with the context provided in this documentary.
The people involved in this narrative have unimaginable wealth and the size of their homeland is likewise in area but like Russia itself it is devoid of growth and life. It was refreshing to be reminded that behind the curtain is a man who has more men behind him and that they have wives and children.
There are no secrets revealed nor is the documentary groundbreaking but you get a perspective rarely seen, a political system that is historically common but alien to the vast population, and how little changes on a generational timescale. Russia won't change in a generation but if the powerful and the leaders don't change as well then a country would be steadfast for multiple generations. The stories here can be reflected to all countries but if we treat a president as a father who has to be man of the house for decades until his children grow up rather than a teacher who is constantly replaced then you end up stuck and in ruin, spreading ruin to those around you.
The only issues I have is that you don't get a resolution on the main man Sergei. You get told these Oligarch became wealthy business men but the process, if any, that gave them a head start isn't explored. You understand Putin's appeal to his citizens but we never get their point of view of the facts surrounding the coincidental deaths of Putin's enemies. The most pressing mystery was what leverage did the Oligarchs think they had over Putin since he was able to go against them so easily, how exactly were they a threat to Putin's predecessor and to Putin himself. Since this was under 90 minutes I'll forgive the unanswered queries since I have an opportunity to figure them out myself with the context provided in this documentary.
