Gorbachev. Heaven
We all know who is Mikhail Gorbachev. The 8th and the last leader of the Soviet Union before grand collapse and opening of gates to freedom. Controversial and powerful politician, who peacefully ended the Cold War and destroyed the Berlin Wall. Later on he approved independence for many occupied former USSR countries without intentions for such goal. Mansky uncovered double-faced Putin’s witnesses and secretly visited Mr. Gorbachev, who is now almost forgotten by everyone. Only few most loyal assistants and cooks stay with a former President – unrecognisably fragile physically, but still wise thinker.
Friendly camera helps to observe 89-years-old Mr. Gorbachev in a villa and Moscow office. Painful to witness, how deeply is wounded his heart without beloved wife Raisa and how difficult is to walk every single step.
Edvinas Pukšta
Vitaly Mansky (1963) was born in in Lviv, Ukraine. He graduated from VGIK in 1989 and has become one of the most prominent contemporary documentary filmmakers and producers. He has directed more than 30 films that have been screened at nearly every major festival worldwide and has received over 100 international awards. His documentary “Under the Sun” (2015) was screened at the PÖFF competition programme and won the Best Directing Award. In 2007, he founded and became the president of the International Festival of Creative Documentary Films Artdocfest in Russia. Its operation was suspended in 2022 due to the prevailing censorship and the invasion of Ukraine. He is currently being persecuted by Russian authorities for expressing his civic stance. In 2020, he founded and became the president of the International Documentary Film Festival Artdocfest/Riga in Latvia, having emigrated from Russia in 2014. Member of the American Film Academy (Oscars).
Filmography:
(Valik/Selected): Nasha rodina (Gagarin’s Pioneers, 2005, doc), Truba (Toru, 2013, doc), V lutšah solntsa (Päikese all, PÖFF 2015, doc), Close Relations (Suguvõsa, PÖFF 2016, doc), Svědkové Putinovi (Putini tunnistajad, PÖFF 2018, doc), Gorbachev. Heaven (Gorbatšov. Paradiis, PÖFF 2020, doc), Shidniy front (Idarinne, PÖFF 2023, doc, co-dir), Chas pidlotu (Time to the Target, 2025, doc)
Award for Best Baltic Film, grant of 5000€ from Piletilevi
