Why Comedy "The Death of Stalin" Has Been Banned In Russia

Many in Russia were looking forward to "The Death Of Stalin" – the comedy by British director Armando Iannucci that makes fun at the panicked fight for power that followed after Stalin's death. But the film was barred from distribution by the Culture Ministry two days before its official release. 2017 was marked by a violent attack on Kirill Serebrennikov, one of the best Russian theatre directors (also known for his anti-Kremlin views). The sad lesson, it seems, was learned, and the film distributors did not protest against the ban. The only cinema that dared to show the film before the ban officially went into power had to cancel the screenings after a surprise police visit. 

Despite his death, Stalin still is, probably, the most discussed political figure in Russia. And if in the 90s he was widely condemned for his crimes, the current regime is putting a lot of effort into revamping his image and re-casting him as a "tough, but fair" leader, an "efficient manager" who made Russia great, and the kind of leader that Russia needs now. One is not supposed to laugh at him. Iannucci's film does just that – and it mocks not only the dead dictator but, most of all, his squabbling successors, who equate their position of power with their ability to survive. The film, it seems, aims at the most painful spot of the Russian ruling elite: the country is, once again, ruled by an ageing autocrat who is likely to leave a dangerous power vacuum behind him.