Blog post written by Jackie Marusiak, Documentary Studies and Production ‘21, FLEFF Intern.

“That made my brain hurt,” said one man sitting in the audience.

The credits of Our New President rolled in theater three at Cinemapolis, Friday of FLEFF week. The crowd filled almost every available seat.

I sat in the very first row, having made the mistake of arriving only a few minutes early. After watching the entire documentary with my neck craned upward, I awaited discussion within the audience.

True to its shocking trailer, Our New President probed issues of independent media in Russia and showcased the puzzling passion some Russian citizens have for President Trump.

Raza Ahmad Rumi, director of the Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca College moderated the debate.

While I expected this film to incite discussion, the conversation quickly turned more heated than I thought.

Some audience members thought the film skirted the issue of bias in American news outlets. Others said the film scrutinized the power of social media and the ability to find truth in the news. Would we reach a point where objectivity no longer existed? Had we already?

Others found it much more comical. What’s not to laugh about old men playing the accordion and singing about Trump?

Either way, Our New President will make your brain hurt.