Los Angeles, United States (CNN) — CNN’s documentary “Navalny,” which explores a plot to assassinate Russian anti-corruption activist and former presidential candidate Alexei Navalny, won the Oscar for Best Feature Documentary at the Academy Awards, Sunday night.
The film follows Navalny’s political rise, his survival from a poisoned assassination attempt, and his subsequent imprisonment. Directed by Daniel Rohr and presented by CNN Films and HBO Max, the film documents a systematic investigation by CNN’s chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward, and investigative reporting group Bellingcat, to uncover those who tried to kill Navalny.
“Navalny” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2022. The critically acclaimed film also won the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary Feature last February.
Navalny, an outspoken critic of the Kremlin, is serving a nine-year sentence in a maximum security prison east of Moscow.
Navalny was poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent in 2020, an attack in which Navalny and many Western officials have publicly blamed the Kremlin, while Russia has denied any involvement.
After several months in Germany recovering from the poisoning, Navalny returned to Moscow, where he was promptly arrested for violating probation from a 2014 embezzlement case he said was politically motivated.
Initially sentenced to two and a half years in prison, he was later sentenced to nine years over separate allegations that he stole from his anti-corruption foundation.
CNN celebrated its first Oscar win in its nearly 43-year history, during the 95th Academy Awards, Sunday, in Los Angeles, California.
“Navalny’s film is, first and foremost, about the passion, drive, and heroic inspiration of Alexei Navalny, who continues to languish inside a punitive institution even as we celebrate this award,” said Amy Intellis, executive vice president of talent development and content for CNN International.
“An extraordinary group of people are dedicated to keeping Alexi’s story in front of the world, from the tireless film team, led by visionary director Daniel Rohr, to our partners at Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO Max, and of course our friends at Bellingcat and CNN’s Clarissa Ward,” she added. “.
“Behind every project in CNN’s 10-year film history, there is an incredible group of people I know who are proud today. It’s a tremendous win to honor CNN with an Academy Award, and a testament to the lasting impact of CNN’s films,” Intellis added.
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