A Soviet retiree hallucinates Brezhnev as his life coach. Communism's greatest hits, now with 100% more imaginary dictators.
Yasha recently retired after serving many years at a factory, with a highlight of his career being a delegate of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1976. Yet his future is left unknown when he emerges in new realities that he finds difficult to accept. The world has changed after the collapse of the Soviet Union, yet he tries to hold on to what once was. Thus enters former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Appearing like Yasha’s alter ego, he guides Yasha, giving amusing commentary and voicing what Yasha should say or do. Brezhnev’s presence gives way for more historical leaders that Yasha idolises to arrive. Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, Josip Broz Tito and Erich Honecker, and even the African dictator Jean Bedel-Bokassa all make an appearance! When Yasha takes an oath of loyalty to them, this creates trouble for his family.
Acting
Vitorgan's Brezhnev walks the line between statesman and chaotic inner demon
Writing
Political satire sharp enough to cut through decades of propaganda
Production
Grotesque fable aesthetic that makes dictators feel like fever dreams
Director
Edgar Baghdasaryan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Baghdasaryan uses Armenian post-Soviet experience to explore how entire generations were orphaned by ideology's collapse.
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