i don't believe he knows the first thing about russia to be honest. does he speak even mediocre russian? has he spoken to many people in russia? probably not. totally fucking weird for someone who (I'm assuming) hasn't ever lived there to be the one making claims about cultural change (that's what most of his stuff is generally about isn't it). the style is incredible. i think he'd be better as an illustrator of other peoples ideas, a skilled workman, or as a full-on artist rather than a documentary maker. he makes claim after claim and people really listen to him. but whenever he touches on anything i know about its clear that he has a tenuous grasp of the facts, but that doesn't stop him barreling in with his authoritative voice. this is one of the problems with the english elite when it comes to talking about other countries, i don't know why but they have no humility at all.
only vaguely related to that, there is a pretty interesting general trend on all sides towards the old man as authority figure and truth teller, which surely curtis fits into. specifically his voice. leaving aside the class dominance of the way he speaks, there is something in the water when it comes to all kinds of people wanting an elderly gentleman to explain the world to them.