Christo Grozev, a prominent investigative journalist known for his work in documentaries like “Navalny” and “Antidote,” has become one of Vladimir Putin’s top targets due to his revelations about assassination plots against opposition figures like the late Alexei Navalny. At the CPH:DOX documentary festival held in Copenhagen on Tuesday, Grozev discussed the risks he faces as a result.
At the festival, Grozev took part in a discussion about the hard choices and dedication necessary to uncover truth through filmmaking and journalism. On stage with him was James Jones, a multiple Emmy-winning British director known for his work on “Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes,” who directed “Antidote.”
The Lost Tapes,” who directed “Antidote.
In “Antidote,” the movie that recently won the Best Editing award at the Tribeca Film Festival and will be shown in an updated version at CPH:DOX, director Jones explained to the audience that his original intention was to explore Putin’s poison program using the open-source investigation platform Bellingcat, which Grozev was working with. However, intelligence services warned Grozov of a planned assassination attempt against him. As a result, Grozov’s personal story became the focus of the film.
Talking about his work with Bellingcat, Grozev explained, “Initially, it was a tool using algorithms to expose classified intelligence information. This annoyed some wrongdoers and made Putin uncomfortable. Over the past ten years, Bellingcat has been instrumental in solving over 40 cases, according to him. His team’s role, he added, was to pressure law enforcement agencies into fulfilling their duties by exposing their lack of action.
Responding to a query from moderator Anthony Kaufman (a journalist), Jones shared that during the production of “Antidote”, his entire crew faced significant pressure but received robust support from Passion Pictures, Channel 4, and Impact Partners. Despite taking extensive security precautions, they were still taken aback when six spies, who were following Grozev as part of a Russian cell, were eventually apprehended.
Indeed, it’s clear that the world has evolved since we wrapped up our production,” remarked the filmmaker. “Now, President Putin is no longer shunned in the United States, and it remains to be seen what might transpire for Christo, who currently resides there…
How would it feel like being an investigative journalist during Donald Trump’s second term as president? Is the job more risky now? (asked the moderator)
Grozev acknowledged that while their work was not entirely fulfilling, they were driven by the hope of clarifying who the good and bad actors were, influencing opinions, and shaping politics. Their investigation resulted in economic sanctions, which they considered worthwhile, despite potential risks to their family. However, four months ago, the situation took a turn as those they had been investigating are now perceived positively in the U.S. Grozev explained that this shift has diminished his motivation and increased the danger involved in their work.
Grozev mentioned that he sought safety in the United States due to concerns about Europe’s danger level. However, he now feels that Europe appears less perilous to him, a sentiment possibly influenced by Trump’s growing alliance with Putin.
Protecting himself from potential danger, Grozev highlighted the precarious situation of Russian dissidents residing in the U.S., anti-Putin reporters and academics who have been temporarily permitted in the U.S., but are now struggling with funds, visas, and facing the possibility of being deported back to Russia.
When asked if the price of revealing truth is justified, Grozev emphasized that having unwavering family support is essential. “My children, my family encourage me, ‘Keep going.’ Not only do they offer assistance with my investigations, but they actively participate. Therefore, the cost is worth it … and if I were to stop working, it would be significantly less enjoyable!,” he declared resolutely.
Discussion Shifts to Distribution Conundrum
During the discussion, Kaufman steered the conversation towards the difficulty of locating distribution channels for bold documentaries, particularly in the U.S. Jenny Raskin, executive producer of “Antidote” and Impact Partners’ executive director, expressed that the current distribution landscape is uncertain, especially in the U.S. She advised that one must always think strategically, persistently push forward, and not solely rely on institutions ready to censor content in advance.
“But I do think there are new outlets coming,” she said, mentioning Jolt.
Raskin emphasized the importance of events like CPH:DOX, public broadcasters, and international collaborations in expanding audiences beyond the U.S. “If distribution channels refuse certain films due to political or other reasons, we will find alternative methods,” she stated. “I believe that people nowadays are eager for thought-provoking content. The popularity of ‘Navalny’ demonstrated this fact.
According to Jones, creating “Antidote” was a balancing act between being engaging and difficult, yet he emphasized that streaming platforms should strive for ambition instead of settling for mediocrity. He firmly believed this.
Grozev emphasized the importance of enticing the less engaged audience by offering free content on advertising-funded platforms. He suggested that there’s a market, particularly for brief narratives that can captivate audiences. Referring to the popularity of speculative services like TikTok due to their short, engaging stories, he posited: “Why not transform investigative journalism into catchy bite-sized pieces? If misinformation is candy and truth is spinach, then let’s make factual candy too!
According to EbMaster, “Antidote” is an engaging and suspenseful documentary that delves into the dangers of investigative journalism. This film has been nominated for the F:ACT Award at CPH:DOX and the winner will be announced during the festival’s closing ceremony on Friday. After its showing at CPH:DOX, “Antidote” will also screen at Hot Docs.
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2025-03-26 13:47