AU rating: M | Mature themes, violence and coarse language

NZ release date: 28/05/26
AU release date: TBC

From James Strong, director of the acclaimed mini-series Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Words of War tells the powerful true story of world-renowned journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya.

Maxine Peake expertly portrays Politkovskaya’s brave crusade, putting her life in jeopardy by fighting to be an independent voice of truth for the Russian people. She refused to give up reporting on the war in Chechnya despite numerous acts of intimidation and violence, including being poisoned.

Sparring with Peake on the silver screen is Jason Isaacs, in the role of Politkovskaya’s husband Sasha - a TV journalist who can barely hide his jealousy of his wife’s success. Irish screen legend Ciarán Hinds also joins the cast as Dmitry Muratov, Anna’s editor of the independent paper Novaya Gazeta.

Politkovskaya’s legacy lives on, and her story serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the right to report the news without fear of death or reprisal.

DIRECTED BY: James Strong

STARRING: Maxine Peake, Ciarán Hinds, Jason Isaacs

SHOWING AT THESE
NZ CINEMAS:

Cinema Kororareka, Russell
ANZAC Theatre, Dargaville
Rialto Cinemas, Auckland
The Vic, Auckland
Left Bank Theatre, Thames
Luxe Cinemas, Tauranga
Luxe Cinemas, Papamoa
Tivoli Cinema, Cambridge
Regent Theatre, Te Awamutu
Dome Cinema, Gisborne
Everybody's Theatre, Ōpunake
Civic Theatre, Waipukurau
ShoreLine Cinema, Waikanae
Light House Cinema, Wellington
Penthouse Cinema, Wellington
The Gecko, Motueka
State Cinemas, Nelson
Academy Gold Cinema, Christchurch
Lumiere Cinemas, Christchurch
Movie Max Digital Cinemas, Timaru
The Riviera Cinema, Oamuru
Central Cinema, Alexandra