On 65th anniversary of Stalin's death, film in Caucasus recalls political prisoners' toast

65 years ago, on March 5, 1953, the news of the death of Joseph Stalin became good news for Soviet political prisoners who raised toasts on his birthdays. In that regard, the ban on the screening of the satirical film "The Death of Stalin" looks like a manifestation of censorship, believe rights defenders interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot".

Marx Shakhmurzov, the chairman of the Association of Victims of Political Repression in Kabardino-Balkaria, confirmed that on the Stalin's birthdays political prisoners wanted him to die.

"How can you not wish death to a bloodthirsty dictator who has not spared millions of people?" he noted.

Marx Shakhmurzov was deported to Kazakhstan as "a member of the family of a traitor to the Motherland". He shared his memories of the day of the Stalin's death.

"In our school, pupils and teachers were crying, and only I was happy in my soul," the man said. According to him, then no one could express the joy over the death of the leader of the USSR.

Meanwhile, in January, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan prohibited the screening of the film "The Death of Stalin" and explained the decision by taking care of veterans of World War II.

In Yerevan, the film was showed for the first time on January 25. Members of the administration of the "Cinema Star" cinema reported that "the film made a great impression on the audience."

Journalist Gayane Mirzoyan believes the film tells people not so much about Stalin, rather than about the cynical struggle for power.

Daniel Ionnisyan, the coordinator of the project "Union of Informed Citizens", called the film "a wonderful comedy."