Premiere for Stalin satire bedevilled by setbacks and superstition

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-1939318,00.html ^ | Dec19, 2005 | Jeremy Page

[RusIvan]

Premiere for Stalin satire bedevilled by setbacks and superstition From Jeremy Page in Moscow One of the finest novels of the Soviet era is at last adapted for Russian TV

THE DEVIL is coming back to Moscow today — or at least to its television screens.

Russia’s first television production of The Master and Margarita, the satirical novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, is due to begin tonight after 20 years of failed attempts to bring it to the screen.

And the ten-part mini-series of arguably the greatest novel to emerge from the Soviet Union is already causing a sensation, especially in Moscow, where it is set.

The Master and Margarita, which revolves around a visit by the Devil to Moscow, is not only one of Russia’s best-loved literary works, it is also shrouded in superstition. Some believe that the work has been cursed ever since Bulgakov, a former doctor and journalist, completed it on his deathbed in 1940.

[RusIvan]

It is very liked and interesting novel. You may read it here: http://www.lib.ru/BULGAKOW/master97_engl.txt .

[RusIvan]

ping

[MarMema]

Bulgakov was a strange one. This is a very fun post! Thanks.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

I read the book about 10 years ago; it was strange but powerful. Would be interesting to see it done as a movie.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Robert Duval made a great Stalin.

[Tijeras_Slim]

A very interesting book. Catches the scary unreality of the era.

[Charles Henrickson]

after 20 years. . . .

Finally they said, "Quit Stalin!"

[nativeRussian]

Do you see painful law level of discussion?
Did You intend to discuss such complex novel with Americans as "Premiere for Stalin satire..."
Do you seriously??????

[GSlob]

"It was instantly banned...". - Wrong, IIRC. It was so "un-PC" that it had never even been submitted for publication till Khrushchev's "thaw", 20+ years after Bulgakov's death. And a work which has not been submitted cannot be banned by definition.

[RusIvan]

I think that americans as people are curious at least participants of this forum. So I just pointed on one piece which can be interesting. Maybe someone will read and like it.

[nativeRussian]

You're right undoubtedly. But I have doubt that people in the country where main rule is "individual success (and money as measure of success)is above all" can understand such deep Russian book! Too many books about Russian history must read every American before reading "Master & Margaret". Otherwise, all gentle hints and allusions will not properly understood. And at last, relations between Bulgakov and Stalin were not giving occasion talk about "Premiere for Stalin satire bedevilled by setbacks and superstition"