With Anna's story, what we want to illustrate is the importance of journalists, is the importance of a free press.

Is it something we must fight tooth and nail for?

Politkovskaya, let's go.

Time to go.

Anna: Go without me.

[ Gun cocks ] What did you say to me?

I'm staying.

[ Car engine starts ] I have to be sure what I've just done isn't going to get me killed.

Because I can't be sure, I have to assume the risk.

I'm Anna Politkovskaya, by the way.

Well, it's a World Press Freedom Day on Saturday.

That's why Congressman Eric Swalwell has got behind the film and executive produced it.

Once you lose those freedoms, you never gain them back.

And we live in a time when legitimate press and cooperative press and -- and the mainstream media have been so deliberately undermined that people don't know where to find the truth.

One of the most important things for the next generation is for them to, particularly with AI coming, is to know not only where to find the truth, but to value it and make sure that we preserve our access to it.

James: It's a very, you know, significant and important day.

And we wanted to honor not just Anna, but all the journalists who have given their lives to -- to, you know, report the news fairly and accurately and sacrifice themselves to tell the stories and get the, you know, real news out to all their audiences.

You promise me you'll be careful.

I promise you that.

I'll really be careful.

Shh.

Maxine: To be in those situations, I mean, I can't imagine.

I'm just an actor.

I turn up, do the scene, go home.

You know, when you're looking around and we've got explosions going on, and you think, how do people continue to do this amazing work?

And that we should all be extremely grateful for and we should be really fighting, especially in the current times.

You know, the truth gets so diluted and twisted, and it's so important that we have those people who are vessels for us.

♪♪