In this episode of the True Story Podcast, Ivona Remundová speaks with directors Beata Bashkirova and Mikhail Bashkirov about A Shaman’s Tale, a gripping documentary that follows Yakut shaman Alexander Gabyshev on his extraordinary journey across Russia to “exorcise” Vladimir Putin, whom he believes to be a demon.

What begins as a symbolic, almost mythical pilgrimage soon turns into a powerful act of resistance, drawing supporters and government repression alike. Bashkirova and Bashkirov discuss their experiences filming this dangerous and deeply political odyssey, the challenges of documenting a man whose mission straddles the line between spirituality and activism, and the personal risks they faced as independent filmmakers in Russia.

Why did the Russian authorities see Gabyshev as such a threat? How does shamanism intersect with political resistance? And what does this story tell us about the shifting realities of contemporary Russia? Tune in as we explore these questions and more.