The Inner Circle (The Projectionist) (1991)

67% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(385 ratings)

Andrei Konchalovsky's examination of totalitarianism, and the self-deluded mind-set that allows it to happen, is based on Konchalovsky's meeting with a bureaucratic flunky of Stalin's -- his personal projectionist -- during his early days as a filmmaker. Set during the height of Stalin's rule (1939… More Andrei Konchalovsky's examination of totalitarianism, and the self-deluded mind-set that allows it to happen, is based on Konchalovsky's meeting with a bureaucratic flunky of Stalin's -- his personal projectionist -- during his early days as a filmmaker. Set during the height of Stalin's rule (1939 through 1953), the story concerns Ivan Sanchin (Tom Hulce), a motion picture projectionist who worships the Soviet leader like a god. He lives in a tiny apartment, sharing his space with a Jewish family. One day, the KGB bursts into the apartment of his Jewish neighbors and carts them away. Later that night, there is a loud banging on his door and standing before him are two KGB agents, who drag him off into the night. While at first Ivan can't understand what he did wrong, it seems the news is good -- Stalin wants Ivan to take over as his official motion picture projectionist. But since his job is high security, he can't tell his wife Anastasia (Lolita Davidovich) what he does for a living. When Anastasia takes an interest in the orphaned child of his former Jewish neighbors, Ivan begins to worry that Anastasia's visits to the state orphanage might have political repercussions against him. When he gets his wife a job serving Stalin's cabinet, he thinks he's solved his political worries. Unfortunately, Anastasia catches the amorous eye of KGB chief Beria (Bob Hoskins), and Ivan's unquestioning faith in the Soviet leaders is sorely tested. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Andrey Konchalovskiy
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Jul 15, 1992
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dan Lybarger, Kansas City Star
A interesting true story that's handled in a pedestrian manner.

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Cast

            Tom Hulce as Ivan Sanshin

            Lolita Davidovich as Anastasia

            Bob Hoskins as Beria

            Alexander Zbruyev as Stalin

            Feodor Chaliapin Jr. as Professor Bartnev

            Bess Meyer as Katya (16 years)

            Irina Kupchenko as Directress

            Maria Baranova as Katya (10 years)

            Maria Vinogradova as Fedosia

            Mikhail Kononov as Voroshilov

            Evdokiya Germanova as Governess

            Vladimir Khulishov as Col. Schelkasov

            Oleg Tabakov as Vlasik

            Vsevolod Larionov as General Rumiantsev

            Alexander Feklistov as Bolshakov

            Vladimir Steklov as Khrustalev

            L. Matyushina
            
            Alexander Filippenko as Maj. Khitrov

            Aleksandr Pashutin as Commandant of the Train

            Antonina Anokhina as Claudia Morda

            Sergei Arzibashev as Beria's Officer

            Viktor Balabanov as Molotov

            Yelena Borzunova as Popova

            Perry Bullington
            
            Ilja Chanbudanov as Kaganovich

            Valentin Cherviakov as Malenkov

            Vira Ekroimova as Kathy (3 years)

            Aleksandr Garin as Vasily Morda

            Irina Lazareva as Barbara

            Aleksandr Lipkov as Aaron Gubleman

            Liubov Matiushina as Sonia Gubleman

            John P. Ryan
            
            Alexandr Surin as Voronkin

            Ivan Teplov as Projectionist

            Victor Tradian as Mikoyan

            Victor Uralsky as Mikoyan

            Vladimir Petrov as Tanya

            Robert MacDonald
            
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