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The Death of Stalin
Chaos and comedy ignite in Armando Iannucci’s acerbic satire, as Soviet officials frantically react to the passing of their glorious leader.
Comedy 2017 107 mins
Director: Armando Iannucci
Overview
After puncturing the pomposity of Anglo-Saxon politics in The Thick of It and Veep, comic titan Armando Iannucci turns his sardonic eye to Russian history. Upon the sudden death of their glorious leader Stalin, a group of political mercenaries, ranging from his son to the Foreign Secretary, all hatch personal schemes to wrestle control of the Soviet state.
Showcasing a wonderful mix of the world’s leading comic actors (Jeffrey Tambor, Michael Palin) and those more known for their dramatic turns (Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs, Andrea Riseborough), Iannucci has crafted a maniacally funny film that exposes the corruption and nepotism at the heart of power. And while Iannucci's adept handling of such blackly comic gallows humour is no surprise, he notably refuses to trivialise the solemn horrors of Stalin's reign. A cult comedy in the making, The Death of Stalin is a riotous satire of the grisly extremes of political machination.
very strong language, brief strong violenceAccessibility
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