Reflections on the Institutions and Sociology of Post-Soviet Independent Russian Documentary Film

<jats:p>Rather than focus on famous directors, ‘auteurs,’ this chapter takes a sociology of art methodology to examine the institutions that shaped documentary film in post-Soviet Russia up until 2022. In examining the production, distribution and reception of documentary films in Russia, especially with regard to the political situation, the chapter focuses on the way the Marina Razbezhkina School of Documentary Cinema shapes the ‘habitus’ , especially stylistic approach and thematic choices, of directors and the way that Artdocfest, as opposed to internet dissemination, influences the reception of Russian documentary films of the period.</jats:p>