The First Speech: Russia

INNOCEAN Berlin CCO - Gabriel Mattar ECD - Ricardo Wolff Head of Art - Maso Heck Art Director - Leon Celay Copywriter - Juan Andrés Kebork Associate Design Director - Will Cega Motion Designer - Carlos Suárez Motion Designer - Alexander Aleksidze Head of Capacity Management - Paulina Gonzalez Head of Production - Fabian Barz Strategy Director - Anna Nowak-Otto Sr. Strategist - Odile Breffa Strategist - Ilaria Traverso  - INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe Senior Media Manager - Maja Lah - Stink Berlin Director - Giordano Maestrelli Director of Photography - Konrad Losch Managing Director - Justin Stiebel Executive Producer - Moritz Merkel Head of Stink Rising - Florian Hülbig Producer - Melody Micmacher Editor - Simon Klinkertz Colour Grading - Joseph Bicknell  - Service Production (Additional) Metro Production Georgia Art Director - Sopo Bazghadze Stylist - Ketevan Kalandadze - Service Production (Additional) Stink São Paulo + Yatta Films Porto Alegre Art Director - Martino Piccinini Costume Designer - Isadora Bertolucci - Service Production (Additional) Studio Funk Berlin Executive Producer - Uta Wittchen Sound Engineer / Audio & Music - Marius Wiechmann  - Service Production (Additional) Satelite Audio Music Producer/Partner - Hurso Ambrifi Executive Producer/Partner - Fernanda Costa - Media Partner Havas Italy Managing Partner - Michele Gentile OOH Consultant - Piergiorgio Muller - Media Partner Havas Germany European Coordination Director  - María Casas - PR Persuasion Communications Ltd Publishing Director - Lena Aust Planner Publishing - Melissa Schwab - Reporters Without Borders Germany Head of Communications - Sylvie Ahrens-Urbanek Public Relations Officer - Prisca Martaguet  -

The campaign includes three films that take viewers back to the time and space where modern autocrats delivered their inaugural speeches as presidents. Each film paints an accurate and vivid portrait of the nation and its citizens as they listen to their newly elected leader's first words. Through intentional photography and powerful music, the audience is taken on an emotional journey, starting with hopeful chords that gradually darken, mirroring the stark contrast between the pretty words of autocrats and the harsh reality they impose. The sort of emotional journey only the art of film can deliver. With over 80 countries holding elections and an estimated 4 billion voters heading to the polls, 2024 is the biggest electoral year in history - a pivotal moment for democracy worldwide. While some countries may gain more freedom, others face the risk of losing it. As Reporters Without Borders Germany celebrates its 30th year anniversary, we want to remind everyone that the free press is vital to keep democracy and human rights alive. In historical moments like these, it's especially important to keep a close eye on autocrats disguised as democrats, watch out for their pretty words, and trust the free press instead.