When I got my invitation to DCTV Firehouse’s screening of the CNN Documentary, Navalny, the name didn’t ring a bell. After a brief Google search of who Alexei Navalny was, I still wasn’t sure if I’d be in the theater struggling to follow along or on the edge of my seat desperate for more.
*Spoiler alert* It was the latter.
Let me set the scene for you. DCTV is a firehouse turned cinema and is the only movie theater in New York City dedicated solely to documentaries. It’s located in Chinatown and the space’s firehouse days are remnant from the outside. Once inside, the lobby’s walls and floors are decked out with oak paneling and the theater itself has tree logs nailed to its walls. The concession stand is stocked with booze alongside Boylan Cola, Fentimans Rose Lemonade and cans of Liquid Death Mountain Water. If you’re feeling hungry there are several organic candies and chocolates to choose from, in addition to the quintessential movie-going favorite, popcorn.
I grabbed my snacks—a popcorn and lemonade—and got into the theater just in time to snag a prime seat facing the middle of the screen. Director Daniel Roher kicked off the screening with a brief introduction. I didn’t know much about Navalny, besides him being the Russian opposition leader against Putin. My limited knowledge didn’t matter in terms of enjoying the film. The documentary follows Navalny’s recovery from an assassination attempt followed by his hunt to uncover who targeted him and why. The subject matter was thrilling and at times even comedic.
The two hour and ten-minute-long screening flew by. But the fun wasn’t over yet. Attendees were then treated to a Q&A led by Rolling Stone senior editor David Fear between the director, editors Maya Daisy Hawke and Langdon Page, and two of Navalny’s teammates, Maria Pevchikh and Chris Grozev who are both featured in the movie.
After an insightful Q&A, guests, cast and crew attended a reception in the lobby. Refreshments included a dim sum platter and complementary access to DCTV’s many beverages. Click through the gallery above for pictures from the event.
