The Inner Circle

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Virgo V The Inner Circle is a 1991 drama film by Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky, telling the story of Joseph Stalin's private projectionist and KGB officer Ivan Sanchin (real name Alex Ganchin) between 1939 and 1953, the year Stalin died. Sanchin is played by Tom Hulce and the film co-stars Lolita Davidovitch and Bob Hoskins. The film is based on a true story and is an American, Italian and Russian production. It is in English. The Inner Circle was nominated for awards at the 42nd Berlin International Film Festival and the 1993 Nika Awards. The film received mixed reviews from critics. Some say The Inner Circle is a moving story that provides a powerful look at life in the Soviet Union under Stalin. Some say the film is geared towards a mass audience unfamiliar with the context Powerful story Some say the film is a moving story that evokes emotion without manipulation. Honest portrayal Some say the film provides an honest look at Stalin's brutality and the "cult of personality." Fascinating history Some say the film is a fascinating look at Soviet history and society. Strong warning Some say the film is a warning against the worship of political leaders as secular gods. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/25 Full Review Georges G Excellent film about such a tragic period for Russia. Lolita is wonderful and so touching, from the first scene to the tragic end. This film is at the level of a Doctor Zhivago! We can watch it again and again and still cry just as much! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/06/24 Full Review Audience Member An excellent and honest look into the casual brutality and "cult of personality" of Joseph Stalin through the eyes of a child-like projectionist. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member why is tom hulce so awesome Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member In my top 10 of all time! Tom Hulce is perfect like always(Amadeus) and Lolita Davidovich touched me so much... I could not stop crying. The music from Eduard Artimiyev is a pure bliss like always... Thanx Eduard for sharing your music <3 Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member A fine gem of a film that pretty much got zero publicity or marketing here in the United States...which is really unfortunate, because Andrei Konchalovsky, the director, says he made this film "to try to explain Russia to the Americans." Ivan Sanchin was Stalin's personal projectionist from 1939 until Stalin's death. He desperately clung to his love and respect for the dictator even as terrible things were happening to the people all around him; his desire to be part of the "inner circle" blinded him to the fact that he was in service to a man who was directly responsible for the deaths of millions. Despite its dark themes, I like this film for the same reason I watch movies about the Holocaust: to be reminded that no matter how far we progress, we are still capable of turning a blind eye toward evil. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Inner Circle

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