Maya has become a later in life student again, as she embarks on her film school journey in her early 40s. She’s lucky enough to get financing for her first feature film and has enough contacts from film school to cast and make the movie. However, once finished it seems doomed to be shelved, until one morning when the police come to Maya’s apartment and claim the film is a negative portrayal of Putin and his reign. Maya, who has actively avoided making political statements in her art, is appalled. Is it possible to make apolitical art? And what can one do when there is no way to prove their lack of intention?

I recommend this to people interested in how art functions and is created in situations like this, and those who may want a fictional look into existence in such a regime.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.