Extreme Prejudice

The short film 'Extremist' tells the story of a queer Russian imprisoned for spreading the truth

December 2, 2025

Viktoria Miroshnichenko in the film’s most visually surprising scene. By the way, making this gesture in court is now illegal in Russia, Swifties. (Image via video still)

At an intimate screening at NYC’s queer cinematic hub the Quad on W. 13th, director Alexander Molochnikov appeared in a talk with Ben Stiller about Molochnikov’s Oscar-eligible short film Extremist.

Why is Stiller, who has his own work to promote — his excellent family doc Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost is streaming on Apple TV+ — so eager to attach his clout to a short film?

Because it’s a powerful work of art, one from which America needs to learn.

The proud director (Image by Matthew Rettenmund)

Molochnikov’s 17-minute film is the remarkable story of Aleksandra “Sasha” Skochilenko, a young Russian who was sentenced to seven years in prison for the crime of replacing grocery store price tags with anti-war stickers in St. Petersburg. She just got out early as part of an East-West prisoner swap.

In the sarcastically titled Extremist, the tale of her principled action and her decision not to apologize is balanced with that of her relationship with longtime partner Sonya Subbotina, making this not only about oppression but also about Russia’s squelching of queer people.

Molochnikov was clearly moved by Stiller’s involvement. (Image by Matthew Rettenmund)

Yes, it’s likely Sasha was doomed from the moment she was caught, turned in by a local granny, and certainly was made an example of due to her refusal to cop to spreading “fake news.” But it seems likely being queer condemned her from square one, and while that did not come up in the Q&A, it was an emotional and thought-provoking half-hour talk, with the director barely holding back tears.

The overall point is: it could happen here if we don’t pay more attention and become both more reactive and proactive. Molochnikov made that point by noting when Russian entertainers were fired and silenced in the early days of the war, the country mostly shrugged instead of recognizing the slippery slope.

He also talked about the fascist talking heads all over Russian television that have brainwashed the older generations — sounds a lot like Fox News in the U.S.

Stiller & Molochnikov after the successful screening (Image by Matthew Rettenmund)

Extremist, a recipient of the National Board of Review’s 2025 NBR Student Grant, is playing film fests. I would be shocked if we did not hear more about it at Oscar time.

Full Q&A: