For the political scientist and historian of mentalities, films are a very useful - and sometimes, entertaining - tool to read past and current political events. The ways in which political events are related in films may be indicators of opinion switches for or against certain situations and events. Sometimes, the so-called turns may be just a proof of lack of proper documentations.
Personally, I am a big consumer of such movies and I often recommend them to those interested in expanding or diversifying their studies in a specific mentalities/history-related field, alongside with literary renditions.
The Death of Stalin, a French-British-Belgian co-production based on French graphic novel (oh, graphic novels are actually my favorite medium of choice for political and historical stories) directed by Armando Iannucci, is a completely different level of comedy.
Set in 1953, in the days following the death of Stalin, the movie is highly ironically reproducing the murderous struggle for power within the Council of Ministers of the late Soviet Union. You can have it all, the petiness of power and its humble servants, the show offs and the hunger for power, as much as possible, at any costs.
I really enjoyed the movie, and laughed out very very loud. The characters seem to be historically relatable, except that I could not match the deep British accent of the cast of characters and the elegant British outfits and manners of the ladies.
Otherwise, it is a highly recommended view for any Soviet researchers looking for a break from heavy reading, without actually leaving the field. The movie is forbidden in Russia.
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