Hillary Clinton and Yulia Navalnaya Salute Alexei Navalny’s Heroic Legacy at a New York Screening of Navalny

Nearly one year after Russian politician Alexei Navalny’s death in a Russian jail, his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, gathered friends and allies for an exclusive documentary screening of Navalny at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. Two international powerhouse figures united under one roof for the screening: Hillary Clinton and Yulia Navalnaya.

Presented by Alan Pepe Communications with the participation of CNN, the intimate reception and screening were met with much fanfare, especially as Clinton entered the museum in a black pantsuit and headband. Navalnaya joined shortly thereafter, embracing Clinton with a warm smile and hug. The atmosphere was brimming with hope, a celebration of Navalny’s life and legacy. “When my husband was killed, this documentary became even more important for me to keep Alexei’s legacy, to remind all the world about his fight and to remind all the world how much he did for his beloved country,” Navalnaya shared.

Navalny is the Oscar-winning documentary that chronicles Alexei Navalny’s work and fight for freedom, leading up to the vicissitude of his imprisonment in 2021. The film captures important moments of his later years, including his assassination attempt in Siberia, recovery in Germany, investigation into his poisoning, and eventual return to Moscow before being arrested. That a film crew was able to capture these historic moments is remarkable. By Navalny’s side throughout the documentary were his wife and their two children.

Guests such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Katie Couric, Patricia Clarkson, Gina Gershon, and Fern Mallis were ushered into the theater, where CNN’s Amy Entelis, Hillary Clinton, and Yulia Navalnaya introduced the film with opening remarks. “The film recounts a story of an extraordinary man who against all odds stood up for freedom and democracy in his own country. We need to be reminded of how important that is to do everywhere in the world, wherever human rights or freedom or democracy or the rule of law are threatened,” Clinton shared.

Upon the film’s conclusion, there was not a dry eye in the theater. The moving documentary underscored themes of pro-democracy strength, power in truth, pride in martyrdom, and fortitude. Navalny’s legacy lives on through Yulia Navalnaya’s advocacy and the millions of people he inspired.