CONNECTED Review: A Deeply Human Story!

CONNECTED tells a moving and unexpected story of friendship, resilience, and the complicated ties between two nations. At its heart are Augie Fabela, a 58-year-old American police officer, and Dr. Dmitry Zimin, an 88-year-old former Soviet scientist who became an entrepreneur and later, a philanthropist. Together, they built the first Russian company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange — a symbol of cooperation at a time when the world seemed briefly open to new possibilities.

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But the documentary, directed by Vera Krichevskaya, dives much deeper than the story of business triumph. It’s a meditation on loyalty, risk, and moral courage. For over a decade, Zimin was the sole major financial backer of Alexey Navalny, Russia’s most prominent opposition leader, knowing full well the dangers that came with such support. Navalny himself, writing from prison, describes Zimin as a figure almost too good to be true — someone who lived by his principles, even when the cost was high.

Krichevskaya brings a rare level of access and insight to this film, thanks to her own extraordinary background. As co-founder of Dozhd TV, Russia’s only independent television news outlet, she has spent years navigating the dangerous landscape of Russian media and politics. Her earlier work, particularly F\@CK THIS JOB, established her reputation for sharp, fearless storytelling. With CONNECTED, she returns to explore even more personal and emotional territory, focusing on what it means to stand up for peace and truth when the stakes are life and death.

What makes CONNECTED so powerful is not just its politics, but its emotional. On the eve of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Fabela and Zimin embark on one final journey together — a farewell shaped by Zimin’s planned euthanasia in Switzerland. These closing scenes are tender, raw, and reflective, offering a rare look at the end of a life shaped by immense personal and historical forces. Rather than portraying Zimin as a distant icon, the film reveals him as a man of humor, warmth, and vulnerability, whose passion for progress and justice never faded.

Vera Krichevskaya masterfully weaves personal narrative with the broader sweep of geopolitical change. She reminds viewers that the friendship between an American and a Soviet — now Russian — was once a symbol of post-Cold War hope, something that feels increasingly fragile in today’s climate. As tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and the West escalate, the film becomes a quiet but urgent reflection on the cycles of history, the price of dissent, and the importance of human connection across borders.

Visually, the documentary balances intimate photography, supported by thoughtful editing and an understated score. The anonymity of several Russian production team members, who remain unnamed in the credits due to current Russian laws, is a chilling reminder of the ongoing risks associated with this work.

Overall, CONNECTED is not just a biography or a political documentary — it’s a meditation on legacy, courage, and the fragile bridges that still exist between nations. Krichevskaya delivers a beautifully crafted, deeply human story that resonates far beyond its immediate subjects, offering a powerful and timely portrait of friendship.

‘CONNECTED’ Rating – 3.5/5