The Death of Stalin
The Death of Stalin is a 2017 political satire black comedy film written and directed by Armando Iannucci and co-written by David Schneider and Ian Martin with Peter Fellows. Based on the French graphic novel La Mort de Staline (2010–2012), the film depicts the internal social and political power struggle among the members of the Soviet Politburo following the death of leader Joseph Stalin in 1953. The French-British-Belgian co-production stars an ensemble cast that includes Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Paddy Considine, Rupert Friend, Jason Isaacs, Olga Kurylenko, Michael Palin, Andrea Riseborough, Dermot Crowley, Paul Chahidi, Adrian McLoughlin, Paul Whitehouse, and Jeffrey Tambor. The film premiered on 8 September 2017 at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was released theatrically in the United Kingdom by Entertainment One Films on 20 October 2017, in France by Gaumont on 4 April 2018, and in Belgium by September Film Distribution on 18 April 2018. It received critical acclaim and various accolades, including nominations for two British Academy Film Awards, one of which was for Outstanding British Film, and 13 British Independent Film Awards, four of which it won. There was fierce opposition to the film in Russia, where it was seen as "anti-Russian propaganda", and it was banned there, as well as in Kyrgyzstan, for allegedly mocking the Soviet past and making fun of the USSR.
All right, comrades, now that we're quorate, I propose we call a doctor. All the best doctors are in the gulag, or dead. Yes, yes, because they tried to kill the boss. So any doctor still in Moscow is not a good doctor. What are people's thoughts on getting a bad doctor? What the fuck are you talking about? That's mad. What if he recovers and finds out? Well, if he recovers, then we got a good doctor, and if he doesn't recover, then we didn't, but he won't know.
The Death of Stalin
What was the name of the... that woman who gave evidence against the doctors? - Timashuk. - Yes. She's got everything we require for the situation. The location of all the remaining doctors in the Moscow area, a proven desire to survive and a talent for fellatio. Yeah, right, she gets my vote. Good. Let her find us some doctors. Yeah, and if it goes badly, we pin it all on Lady Suck Suck. - Then we shoot her. - Yes, that would work. You see? We're better as a committee. Let's go.
The Death of Stalin
We need to assert our authority, increase security in Moscow. We should get Stalin's children here. Vasily will be lying face down in a ditch full of vodka. - But Svetlana... - The people love her. - I'm gonna get her in. - Comrade ministers! - Svetlana is here! - I'm here. I'm over here! - Svetlana! - Svetlana! Shit. The race has started. All right, we need to start putting together a plan. We need change. Put a halt to the arrests, prison releases, maybe even reform the Church. How can you run and plot at the same time? Hello! Svetlana! - They're trying to cut you off. - Where? It's obvious. Svetlana! - Svetlana! - Svetlana! - Oh, my darling. - Where is he? - Where's my father? I would like... - Oh, my dear. - I'm so sorry. - I would like to see him. - Yes, of course. - Where is he? We'll take you inside. He's in bed. God Almighty! Look at that herb garden. Does nobody tend it any more? Do people no longer eat herbs any more? Do they only eat weeds? - Come on, we'll take you to see him. - Where is Vasily? - I will get your brother here. - Most helpful. - All right. - She wants Vasily. If Vasily is coming, granted, we should probably have tea and buns. - We'll get some buns and some tea. - Soak up the vodka.
The Death of Stalin