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One of the Russian history documentaries I saw some years ago, I recall, did

67.160.130.12

In Reply to: RE: I am aware of his novels and read the shortest one grits mentions. I'll probably posted by Victor Khomenko on December 08, 2011 at 06:07:16

mention some high up guy who was a secretary of Stalin's. He indeed looked like an accountant, but was, if memory serves, a long-time secret police boss. Look at Himmler: he'd fit into anyone's bourgeois picture book.
The "average" guy certainly can become what we call a cold-blooded, mechanistic killer. From China to Russia to Germany to Chile and El Salvador and Cambodia, history shows mass murdering isn't the purview of the few, but rather of faceless multitudes exactly like your guy. And they function, day in and day out, heartlessly, because they're just "doing their job." No responsibility. Just cogs in their social machine.
To me, they're far scarier than any Hollywood-drama character with his leather mask and chainsaw.
Anyhow, Solshie is next on the list.
And consider this a second invitation to "Russian Empire." The host is something we don't have here: young, visibly enthusiastic, and highly intelligent. A delightful guide.

Follow Ups:

I will try to fit it in the stream of light and mindless French comedies - Victor Khomenko 08:57:41 12/08/11 (5)
Too bad the Russians can't make a comedy out of their history...
- What about the one where they were at a big Stalin party . . . - mr grits 18:47:29 12/08/11 (1)
  your comment jarred my memory. I remember it had a surreal quality to it.
  - I think I know what you are talking about... - Victor Khomenko 12:27:15 12/09/11 (0)
    Was it about the feast in Georgia? I too forgot the name.
- "The Master and Margarita" had freakish humor. nt - tinear 10:04:08 12/08/11 (2)
  fds
  - It was OK, but the best film on Bulgakov's prose, bar none, was... - Victor Khomenko 13:51:46 12/08/11 (1)
    ...Heart of a Dog.
    
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096126/
    
    In that book Bulgakov pulled all the stops, and showed himself as world class master of satire... it is one of the most brilliant works of the Russian 20th century literature, and the film does that work justice with both directing and acting.
    
    Take my word for it - that movie is special.
    
    What... me paying ten bucks???
    
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/HEART-DOG-1988-Mikhail-Bulgakov-DVD-NEW-/250644736630?pt=US_DVD_HD_DVD_Blu_ray&hash=item3a5b972a76
    - 10 AMERICAN dollars? Whew.... Okay, I'll probably take the plunge, but I wish you'd open a Russian - tinear 13:13:57 12/09/11 (0)
      DVD rental program.
      BTW, I just got "Satantango" and "Damnation" from my public library. After "Werckmeister Harmonies," I just have a Tarr frame of mind and, though I tried to watch Kubrick's, "Lolita," yesterday, it just seemed too.... mannered. Back to grey Hungary, for me.

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