Art activism is not something that Pussy Riot invented a few years ago. But they certainly took it to new levels. If you think that the young Russian women were only after their fifteen minutes of fame, you’re probably wrong.
The former members of Pussy Riot have continued their politics of subversion with projects that advocate for freedom of expression.
And here is what they did next…
Zona Prava
Once out of prison, they formed an NGO, Zona Prava, to support the rights of prisoners in Russia. They provide legal information and support to Russian prisoners, to ensure transparency and humane conditions in the jutsice system.
Took the US by storm
They took their agenda internationally, and presented at the Women World Summit in New York in 2014. (Hillary Clinton was a fan and called them ‘brave and strong’). A few months later, they lobbied the US Senate for sanctions against human rights abuses in Russia. They then went to Harvard University to talk about their trial and the challenges of political activism in Russia. They protested on the streets of New York and made a strong music video when Eric Garner’s died after a police officer illegally as an illegally chokeheld him.
Made Trump their next activism target
At the end of 2016, they released ‘Make America great again’, a song that satirises what the United States could become under Trump. Both and Masha Alyokhina (two of the Pussy Riot members who went to prison) have their writing published in Foreign Policy, The Guardian, and other prestigious publications. The world is taking them and their protest seriously.
In a place like Russia, art is politics, and Pussy Riot have refined that and brought it to the world. Pussy Riot and their protest are as relevant today as they were in 2012.
Join us for the documentary that explores the group’s roots and introduces you to its charismatic and highly driven members.