Ugly Little Monkeys

Alexey, a former soldier, now trains bodyguards for the corporate elite at a private security firm. His new cohort of recruits faces not just physical drills, but a systematic dismantling of their civilian selves. Documentary filmmaker Maria Ivanova embeds herself for a year, capturing how ordinary people are forged into perfect protective instruments, often at the cost of their own humanity. This 2026 documentary is a raw examination of the private security world, where the line between professionalism and brutality blurs. The viewer witnesses psychological stress tests, grueling physical ordeals, and ethical quandaries that challenge the very nature of the trade. Footage from the training grounds is intercut with candid interviews where both instructors and trainees confess their fears and moral compromises.