Fresh Air Podcast Summary
Episode: Following Independent Journalists Fighting for Free Press in Russia
Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Tonya Mosley
Guest: Julia Lochtev, filmmaker of "My Undesirable Friends: Part One – Last Air in Moscow"
Overview
This episode centers on the perilous fight for journalistic freedom in Russia, told through the lens of filmmaker Julia Lochtev’s acclaimed documentary "My Undesirable Friends." Lochtev embedded with young, mostly female independent journalists at TV Rain (Russia’s last independent television channel) as they navigated escalating repression, culminating in the outbreak of full-scale war with Ukraine. The conversation weaves parallels between Russia’s crackdown on the press and unsettling American developments, explores the lived reality of being labeled a "foreign agent," and examines community, resilience, and humor in the face of adversity.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
The Foreign Agent Law and the Climate in Russia
- Resurgence of Repression: Lochtev explains how the "foreign agent" label, rooted in Soviet practice, was suddenly reapplied not just to organizations but to individuals, marking journalists and bloggers as state enemies (01:25).
- Legal and Social Ramifications: Those designated must stamp a disclaimer on all publications—even personal social media—or face fines or imprisonment (01:59).
“If I put a cat picture on my Instagram, I’d have to put, ‘This is by a foreign agent.’”
— Julia Lochtev (06:20)
The Impulse to Document
- Urgency to Film: Lochtev decided to travel to Russia within weeks of the crackdown, spurred by reports of young journalists resisting with humor. She was struck by their ordinariness, relatability, and courage (05:28).
“I thought, okay, let’s try to make a film about this. Let’s see where this goes.”
— Julia Lochtev (08:32)
Filming With Intimacy and Immediacy
- Solo, iPhone-Driven Production: Lochtev shot primarily on her phone, lending the film immediacy and intimacy. The minimal setup helped subjects open up, and the result “is not like a normal documentary with interviews… it’s a slice of life in real time” (09:04-10:05).
Russia’s (Lost) Independent Media Landscape
- Media Before the Crackdown: Contrary to popular belief, robust independent journalism thrived pre-2022—covering government corruption, social issues, and human rights (10:31).
- The Sudden Collapse: The outbreak of full-scale war and subsequent legal changes made independent journalism impossible. Simply using the word “war” is now illegal (12:09).
The Journalists: Youth, Skepticism, and Courage
- Backgrounds and Personalities: The journalists are primarily women in their 20s and 30s, diverse but united in their mission. Anya, Lochtev’s friend, is presented as “our guide into the world.” The youngest, Lyra, declared an “extremist terrorist,” typifies the arbitrary risk (16:49-20:09).
“Two of them talk about how they were in first grade when Putin came to power ... as long as I’ve known there was such a thing as a president ... it’s been Putin.”
— Julia Lochtev (18:59)
Community, Humor, and Survival
- Strength in Community: Lochtev describes the deep communal ties among Russian journalists and activists, providing emotional sustenance (21:25).
“Let joy and laughter also be a part of our resistance.”
— Julia Lochtev, quoting a lawyer from the film (21:46) - Dark Humor as Resistance: Required to declare every purchase to the government, journalists respond with sarcasm: “That pair of underwear you bought yesterday is now supporting a foreign agent” (23:16).
Joy as Subversion
- Music and Protest: The podcast features a protest song by Pornofilmy, a contemporary Russian band, performed on TV Rain before the crackdown. It became an anthem of hope and resistance (24:50-26:33).
“This will pass. We live in this dark century, and yesterday’s dictator will be a dead old man … and one day, all of this will pass.”
— Julia Lochtev, describing the song’s lyrics (25:11)
The Collapse: War, Exile, and the End of an Era
- The Week Russia Changed: Lochtev recalls the panic and confusion after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as journalists decided between fleeing or risking prison (13:57-15:13).
“They were facing this choice of, literally, do we go to work tomorrow or do we go to the airport?”
— Julia Lochtev (13:43) - Relationship to the ‘West’: The young journalists are cosmopolitan, their lives indistinguishable from their Western peers until Russia is abruptly cut off following sanctions and company departures (32:14-34:34).
“No more Nike or Apple. We don’t have a country anymore.”
— One of the journalists, recounted by Lochtev (33:28)
Resilience and Lessons for Americans
- Endurance Beyond Tangible ‘Results’: Lochtev reflects on embracing the “Sisyphus” mentality—finding meaning in the struggle, not just the outcome, and letting “joy and laughter be part of our resistance” (35:18-36:55).
“I like the story of Sisyphus, but I don’t think of him as a victim. I think he finds meaning in pushing the stone.”
— Edik, TV Rain anchor, quoted by Lochtev (36:09)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Parallels with the U.S.:
“It almost feels like… there’s Easter eggs in the film that become more and more relevant every day… arrests of journalists, like someone talks about the end of comedy shows… this constant echo.”
— Julia Lochtev (03:41) -
On the Human Cost:
“If you’re in jail, you’re not much use to anyone as a journalist. You can’t report from jail.”
— Julia Lochtev (13:35) -
On Cultural Solidarity:
“They live in hordes and communities… that is a huge part of what binds people together and keeps them strong.”
— Julia Lochtev (21:25) -
On the Emotional Logic of the Documentary:
“All of your films hinge on this pivotal moment that divides the before from the after… It's not something I have consciously done, but it's absolutely… It's kind of strange, isn’t it?”
— Julia Lochtev (31:49-32:14)
Important Timestamps
- [01:25]: Lochtev reflects that the world the film captured “no longer exists”—introducing the story’s urgency and gravity.
- [05:28]: Decision to travel to Russia and document the crackdown.
- [10:31]: Discussion of Russia’s surprisingly open media landscape pre-crackdown.
- [12:09]: Full-scale war’s impact on journalism, making even “war” a banned word.
- [13:57]: Journalists’ chaotic scramble to flee Russia.
- [18:59]: Journalists’ generational perspective—growing up under Putin.
- [21:46]: The quote “Let joy and laughter also be a part of our resistance.”
- [25:00]: Protest song and the power of music as resistance.
- [32:58]: The shock as Western companies and institutions suddenly pull out.
- [36:09]: Sisyphus as a metaphor for resistance without resolution.
Tone and Style
The tone remains sobering yet laced with admiration for courage and the sustaining power of humor and community. Lochtev’s voice is precise, vivid, and warm, often sharing small, humanizing details and emphasizing ordinary acts of defiance.
Summary Takeaway
In documenting Russia’s last chapter of press freedom, Julia Lochtev’s film and this conversation both memorialize what was lost and offer urgent lessons. The episode highlights how ordinary individuals, facing authoritarianism, sustain one another with laughter, solidarity, and moral commitment—lessons that, as Lochtev notes, resonate far beyond Russia. As she and her subjects demonstrate, it isn’t only results that matter; it’s “finding meaning in pushing the stone”—resisting, creating, laughing, and witnessing, even when the outcome is uncertain.