Watch Putin: The New Tsar

As the title suggests, Putin: The New Tsar is a documentary that delves into the life and political career of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Directed by Patrick Forbes, the documentary provides a well-rounded view of the man who has been in power for over two decades. The film explores his background, rise to power, and his contributions to modern Russia.

The documentary is divided into four parts: his early years, his rise to power, his first two terms as President, and his third term in office. Through interviews with politicians, journalists, and people close to Putin, we learn about his life growing up in Leningrad, his time working for the KGB, and his ascent to power in post-Soviet Russia.

The first section covers Putin's childhood and early adulthood. We learn that Putin grew up poor in Leningrad and was the only child of factory workers. He went on to study Law at Leningrad State University and joined the KGB after graduation. The documentary takes us through his early years in the KGB and provides insights into his training and work.

The second part of the documentary covers Putin's rise to power. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Putin worked for several years as a government official, serving as Mayor of St. Petersburg and working for the FSB, the successor to the KGB. Putin's fortunes changed when he was appointed as Prime Minister by President Boris Yeltsin in 1999. After Yeltsin resigned on the last day of the year, Putin became acting President.

The third part of the documentary covers Putin's first two terms as President. Putin won his first election in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004. During this period, Putin consolidated his power, reformed the economy, and brought stability to the country. The documentary covers several important events during his tenure, including the Beslan school siege and the war in Chechnya.

The final section of the documentary covers Putin's third term in office. Putin was re-elected in 2012 and again in 2018. The documentary explores Putin's foreign policy in Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea, and alleged interference in foreign elections. The documentary also looks at the opposition to Putin and explores the protests that took place in Moscow in 2011 and 2012.

Overall, Putin: The New Tsar provides a fascinating insight into the life and career of one of the world's most powerful leaders. While the documentary is balanced, it does not shy away from some of the criticisms of Putin, including his suppression of the media, crackdown on opposition leaders, and alleged human rights abuses. Ultimately, the documentary leaves it up to the viewer to form their own opinion of Vladimir Putin and his legacy in modern Russia.