Russia sees a period of relative liberalisation under the new President, Medvedev. But it doesn't last. "There came the day we realised they had talked together, and Putin had said: 'Right that's enough, I'm coming back.'" In a move which provokes widespread protests - as well as international disbelief - Putin and Medvedev exchange jobs. Putin begins his third term as President, this time for six more years.

"It was a very cynical message," comments Garry Kasparov, "that this regime, this clique, is going to stay in power no matter what." The former Chess World Champion recently fled Russia out of fear of political persecution. Much of Russia's intelligentsia has done the same.

At home Putin's risible television campaign - which features pop songs, glitter showers, and women extolling his manhood - alienates the middle layers of society. Among the stalwart lower classes, however, a personality cult is forming. Nevertheless accusations of fraud, substantiated by video evidence, mar his re-election.

Meanwhile, as his cronies enrich themselves on Russia's oil and gas resources, inequalities are rife. More than a third of the country still doesn't have access to gas, drinking water, or sewers.

Though it documents countless outrages, the real revelation of this remarkable film may be in what it tells about the silent, unseen Russia. Workers, truck drivers, farmers - these form the core of Putin's rabid supporters. They are won over by a dangerous alignment of religion and nationalism. "Sodom and Gonorrhoea," barks a homophobic Orthodox priest. "Why do we accept it?"

This thoughtful and crafted documentary provides no answers to the enigma that is Putin but it certainly does leave a bitter after taste.